It’s Friday and you’ve finished working after a long and trying week. Time to go home, unwind, and get your weekend on!
But, you know that the roads get super congested around this time of day. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates the population of California is over 39 million people. You start to wonder if all 39 million are on the same road as you!
But, before you lose your mind and resort to road rage, there are some statistics you need to know. Keep reading to learn 3 shocking California car crash statistics that could help you remember to keep your cool on the drive home.
1. California Car Crash Fatalities
Our first shocking statistic relates to how many people expire resulting from an auto accident in California. Studies show that the total number of traffic fatalities in California increased from 3,387 in 2015 to about 3,623 in 2016! That means the fatality rate jumped up by about 7% in only one year!
You can see this in a more clear and heartbreaking way if you look at the articles from Sweet Lawyers about California car accidents. A quick glance down the feed reveals a fatality in almost every other article!
2. Illegal Drugs and Car Crashes
One of the major reasons for the increase in auto accident-related deaths is an increase in drug use among California drivers. Studies in 2013 found that about 32% of all California drivers who were in an accident tested positive for illegal drugs.!
The good news is that the number of drug-addicted drivers is on the way down. By 2016, the number of drivers who popped positive for drugs after an accident fell to only 15%! We hope that trend continues in the future.
3. California Seat Belt Statistics
Wearing seatbelts the right way can save your life! It sounds so simple to a rational mind, but some stubborn people still insist on not buckling up before hitting the road.
A recent study found that car crash deaths where one (or more) people were not wearing their seat belts increased from 568 in 2015 to bout 586 in 2016! That’s a 3% increase in one year that people could avoid by bucking up every time they get into a car.
Accidents Happen, but They Don’t Have To Ruin Your Life
No one ever plans to get into an accident, but they happen every single day! If you drive in a defensive way, then you lower your risk of getting into an accident.
Keep these accident statistics in the back of your mind every time you get behind the wheel. Getting home a couple of minutes earlier is not worth risking your life or the life of someone else!
We hope you enjoyed reading this article and that you learned some important and shocking facts about California car crash statistics. If you’re looking for more great articles about all things automobile, check out the rest of our blog today!
