We recently reported that fatal car accidents are increasing in Tennessee and across the country recently. Not surprisingly, fatal pedestrian accidents are on the rise, too.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the U.S. on average a pedestrian was killed every two hours, and one was injured every eight minutes in 2010. That year, fatal pedestrian accidents were up 4 percent from a year before.

Overall, the NHTSA says, there were 4,280 pedestrian fatalities in 2010, as well as 70,000 pedestrian-related injuries. Despite the year-to-year increase, the number of fatalities was still down by 13 percent from 2001.

Interestingly, the majority of the fatal crashes – about 80 percent – happened when pedestrians were crossing streets at non-intersections. About half of the fatalities occurred on weekends, and nearly half involved alcohol, either by the driver or the pedestrian.

Other statistics: Over two-thirds of the fatal crashes happened at night, and about 90 percent of them happened during clear weather. More than two-thirds of the victims were males. Also, pedestrian deaths made up 13 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2010.

Although some drivers involved were drunk or distracted, the same can be said of pedestrians. Anyone who is driving or walking near traffic should be vigilant about not getting distracted by cellphones or other digital devices. Keeping a proper lookout is not only the responsible thing to do, but it can be life-saving as well.

Source: CNN, “Pedestrian fatalities up 4 percent in 2010; non-intersection crossings most deadly,” Jim Barnett, Aug. 7, 2012

We’ve posted recently about the rise in Tennessee traffic deaths this year. It turns out that we are not alone: The overall death rate from traffic crashes in the U.S. rose 13.5 percent in the first quarter of 2012 compared to the same time last year.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 7,630 traffic deaths in the first quarter, compared to 6,720 during the same period in 2011.

The rise in fatal accidents is a bit puzzling since the numbers have been falling steadily over the last few years. As safety laws have been tweaked and robust technology has reduced car accident injuries, or prevented crashes outright, the number of deaths fell to a 60-year-low recently.

So, why the spike this year? Transportation officials say that it’s too early to point to a cause, but many people suspect the warmer than average winter might have something to do with it. It’s common knowledge that people travel on the roads more if the weather is nicer. Indeed, Americans reportedly drove 9.7 billion more miles in the first part of 2012 than last year, a 1.4 percent increase.

Hopefully the trend will reverse and we’ll see fewer deaths in the second half of the year. While the uptick in deaths is alarming to say the least, the total is far less than in some years past, particularly in the 1970s. In 1972, for example, there were 54,589 people killed in traffic crashes nationwide, the deadliest year on record.

Source: CNN, “U.S. traffic fatalities soar 13.5 percent in first quarter of 2012,” Jim Barnett, July 23, 2012

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In our post earlier this week, we told you how the number of Tennessee traffic deaths is on the rise. Compared to this time last year, there have been at least 30 more deaths in 2012. With a lot of people purchasing new bikes, the number of motorcycle accidents has risen significantly in the state, too.

Local officials intend to do something about the alarming numbers, and they are teaming up with Knoxville police officers to try to reduce the number of fatal car accidents. The Department of Safety and Homeland Security commissioner reportedly talked to Knoxville troopers recently about ways reduce deadly accidents.

The idea is to be even more proactive in enforcing rules and issuing citations. Troopers have apparently made 42 percent more DUI arrests compared to this time last year. In addition, citations for seat belt violations are up a whopping 52 percent from last year. The commissioner thinks that the work the troopers are doing will ultimately have an impact on saving lives.

One reason such citations are up is because drunk driving and failing to wear a seat belt are common elements in car accidents this year. About one in three Tennessee car accidents this year involved drunk drivers, and about half involved un-seat belted motorists.

Clearly, there are serious safety issues that need to be addressed, and hopefully Tennessee drivers will get the message that driving more safely and cautiously can save lives.

Source: WBIR, “Tenn. works to decrease number of deadly crashes,” July 18, 2012

The Tennessee Department of Transportation recently started posting fatality counts on message boards that sit over interstates. As motorists drive under them, it may make them think about how to avoid serious crashes, such as by slowing down and paying more attention. At least, that’s what transportation officials are hoping.

It’s the most recent tactic being used to decrease fatal accidents. Unfortunately, fatal car accidents are on the rise in the state. At this point last year, there had been 477 fatalities on Tennessee roads. So far this year there are already 508 and counting.

In one recent weekend alone, 15 people were killed in accidents. Transportation officials are definitely concerned in the recent rash of accidents, as well as the overall increase in fatalities this year.

As traffic deaths tend to decrease year-to-year in the U.S., it’s a bit puzzling why Tennessee isn’t following that trend. Part of the problem may be the spike in motorcycle accidents. The state recently logged the 75^th motorcyclist death this year.

It’s hoped that the signs and similar measures will help drivers slow down and take a look at what’s happening. Since the fatalities tallies have been implemented, the increase has, well, decreased. When the TDOT began posting the numbers in April, there had been a 13 percent year-to-year increase in accidents. That number has since fallen to just over 6 percent, so it’s possible that the signs are having the intended effect.

Source: The Tennessean, “Tennessee road deaths surpass 500,” Nicole Young, July 7, 2012