2018 Increase in Fatal Pedestrian Accidents and Large Truck Crashes
Each year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) compiles data collected in the federal Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and reports on the number of motor vehicle traffic fatalities in this country. The new NHSTA “Traffic Safety Facts” report, released in October 2019, can be reviewed online.
There was good news in the report: overall, 2018 proved to be the second straight year with a lowering number of fatal traffic accidents in the United States. In both 2017 and 2018, the total number of fatal crashes fell, with the 2018 fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles being the lowest it has been since 2014.
In sum, there was a 2.4% decline in overall traffic fatalities in this country last year. This tally includes all variety of accidents, from pedestrian hit and runs on a rural road, to semi-truck crashes on an interstate highway.
From Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao:
“This is encouraging news, but still far too many perished or were injured, and nearly all crashes are preventable, so much more work remains to be done to make America’s roads safer for everyone.”
How Did Indiana and Illinois Fare in the New NHTSA Fatal Crash Report?
Illinois and Indiana both had decreasing numbers of total driving fatalities last year. The majority of states also reported reductions in traffic fatalities, with 32 states overall having less fatal crashes in 2018 than in 2017.
Illinois Fatal Crash Stats for 2018
Illinois saw a 5.4% decrease in total fatalities in 2018. There was a 13.4% decrease in the number of fatal DUI crashes. During 2018, the State of Illinois reported:
- 1031 total driving fatalities; and
- 309 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities (30% of all fatal accidents).
Indiana Fatal Crash Stats for 2018
Indiana saw a 6.3% decrease in total fatalities in 2018. There was a 13.4% decrease in the number of fatal DUI crashes, identical to the Illinois reduction. During 2018, the State of Indiana reported:
- 858 total driving fatalities; and
- 227 alcohol-impaired driving fatalities (26% of all fatal accidents).
However, delving into the data reveals that not all the fatality numbers are falling. In two categories of fatal crashes, the numbers rose last year. More people died in (1) pedestrian/bicycle accidents and (2) semi-truck crashes in 2018 than in the prior year.
More Fatal Pedestrian Accidents and Bicycle Crashes
The researchers pooled together accidents involving people on foot (i.e., pedestrians) and people who were pedaling (i.e., on bicycles and tricycles),called “pedalcyclists” in their report.
Sadly, the number of pedestrians who died in a motor vehicle accident rose last year by 3.4% while those riding bicycles faced even more danger. Pedalcyclists saw a 6.3% increase in fatal crashes during 2018.
From these numbers, came the following warnings for people walking alongside a roadway:
- A shocking number of pedestrians die in accidents that happen at night (76% occur after dark);
- Many of the pedestrians were hit and killed while in the middle of a roadway and not at an intersection (74%); and
- Around a third of pedestrian accident victims had some amount of alcohol in their blood stream at the time of the crash (38%).
For those riding bicycles, the data provides the following revelations:
- Riding at night is no more dangerous than riding in the daytime (50% of pedacyclist deaths happen after dark);
- A minority of bicyclists (pedalcyclists) had alcohol in their blood stream when they were involved in the fatal accident (26%); and
- The number of female fatalities in fatal pedalcyclist accidents jumped 29.2% in 2018 (Report, page 8).
Increasing Number of Fatal Truck Crashes in the United States
There was an increase in the number of large-truck-related fatalities reported for 2018 in the new NHTSA report. Report, page 8. Large trucks are defined as truck vehicles with gross vehicle body weight ratings of 10,000 lbs. or more.
NHTSA acknowledges that 2018 is the fourth year in a row that there has been a rise in the number of fatal truck crashes.
From the latest Crash Facts Report, we know that:
- The number of fatal large truck crashes increased 1.1% in 2018.
- The number of pedestrians killed in truck crashes jumped 13.0%.
Additionally, the new report reveals that in last year’s fatal commercial truck crashes (Report, page 4):
- Nonoccupants (those outside the truck cab) saw a 7% fatality increase from 2017.
- Large-truck occupant fatalities in single-vehicle crashes increased as well in 2018 (1.9% increase).
The Long View: Comparing Fatality Statistics from 2009 and 2018
What about taking a step back, and considering how things have changed over the years? The researchers also undertook data comparisons for 2009 and 2018. (See Figure 2; Report, page 2).
During the past nine years, NHTSA reports that the biggest increase in fatality death rates involves those outside the vehicle, with nonoccupant fatalities increasing from 14% to 20% during the past nine years.
Additionally, there was a slight rise in the number of motorcyclist fatalities (an increase from 13% to 14%) along with the number of large truck, bus, and other vehicle occupant fatalities increasing from 3% to 4% when comparing 2009 to 2018.
Looking at 2009 and 2018 side by side, it appears that things have become much more dangerous for nonoccupants who may be hit and killed in a motor vehicle accident. It also appears that the high risk danger of dying in a fatal motorcycle accident or large truck crash have remained much the same.
Justice for Crash Victims in Indiana and Illinois
It is good news to learn that overall, the number of fatal motor vehicle accidents is declining in this country — especially in both Illinois and Indiana.
However, the new NHTSA Crash Facts report must also serve as a warning to those who face a great danger of dying in a pedestrian accident, bicycle accident, or large truck crash.
For more, see:
- The Primary Cause of Fatal Child Pedestrian Accidents is the Vehicle
- Bicycle Accidents in Indiana and Illinois: Are Bicycle Safety Awareness Campaigns Working?
- Truck Crashes: Making the Roads of Indiana and Illinois Safer from Fatal Truck Accidents.
The state laws of Indiana and Illinois provide avenues for justice for the accident victims and their loved ones in the event of a serious or fatal crash. While lower statistics are a good thing, the reality is that many of these deaths are the result of totally preventable accidents. Please be careful out there!
