Report Shows Car Crash Deaths Lower In Urban Areas

Massachusetts residents are more than familiar the problems caused by heavy traffic. They know it is not easy to operate a large machine made of metal and plastic around at high speeds.

A new report released by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, reveals that car crashes remained a leading cause of death in the United States in 2009. In terms of numbers, they accounted for approximately 34,485 deaths.

Additionally, the report found that densely populated urban areas have lower death rates from car crashes than rural areas. From this information, an inference can be drawn that urban development is associated with reduced numbers of fatal car accidents.

Urban Area Car Accident Study

Specifically, 54% of the country’s population resides in the study’s statistical metropolitan areas – which consists of the country’s 50 most populous urban locations. However, the study reveals these areas only account for 40 percent of the country’s fatal car accidents.

The overall car accident death rate in urban areas is 8.2 deaths per 100,000 residents – compared to the national rate of 11.1 deaths per 100,000 residents. The authors of the study believe urban sprawl may account for some of the difference in numbers as urban sprawl is more common in rural areas.

The report also confirms that older drivers are safer behind the wheel compared to younger drivers. However, the death rate of younger drivers is also lower in urban areas.

The authors note that the report highlights a number of issues. One is the need for city planners to consider fatal car accident rates when planning urban development. Another is the need to learn more about risk factors associated with car crash deaths.

Injuries from a car crash can be devastating and last a lifetime. An experienced personal injury attorney can assist victims with holding responsible parties liable and obtaining necessary compensation.