The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration released a new report last week that identifies traffic fatalities by their geographic location. Based on past data, generally 44% percent of traffic fatalities occur in urban areas. But what the researchers have found by plugging in the geographic location of fatalities is that urban areas often have significant commuter traffic coming from rural areas. Fatalities in these areas appear as rural fatality statistics. The information gathered is important for areas such as Atlanta, where many people commute up to an hour or more for their jobs. While much has been done to increase safety within the perimeter, typically, less funding has been appropriated to areas that are seen as suburban/rural.
When the data was compiled, the overall percentage of fatalities tied to urban areas increased to about 73% when including the area within five miles of the urban boundaries - a significant increase. Further, about 35% of the fatalities involving tractor trailer trucks occur in urban areas. Likewise, a high percentage of deaths on interstate highways occurred in urban areas. In fact, 57% of fatalities due to car accidents on interstates in Georgia occurred in urban areas - higher than the national average. That number increased to a whopping 83% when including the area within five miles of the urban boundaries. It is expected that law enforcement and highway safety planners will use this information to help increase safety in suburban/rural areas.
The report certainly makes you think twice before you get in your car to drive to work. Remember - it is better to be a safe driver, than a fast driver.
