USA - Traffic deaths down. Pedestrian & cyclist deaths up

[KonaCommuter]

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Fewer people are dying in car accidents in the U.S. (except in California, where it’s been raining lately and people have been very confused). Traffic deaths fell 1.9 percent in 2011, hitting their lowest level since 1949.

That’s great news for drivers, who haven’t been getting a lot of good news in their driver-lives lately. Here’s the bad news: Drivers are killing the rest of us. The Los Angeles Times reports on new federal transportation figures:

Federal officials highlighted the overall decrease in [traffic] deaths. But at least one traffic safety group said the figures were alarming, particularly a 3% increase in pedestrian deaths and an 8.7% increase in cyclist fatalities from 2010 to 2011.

“We are still concerned about the numbers of cyclists and pedestrians at risk on our roadways,” said Paul Oberhauser, co-chairman of the Chicago-based Traffic Safety Coalition, which is partly funded by the traffic safety camera industry. “This new report is a reminder we still need to be cautious and share the road.”

[greyhoundtom]

Less deaths on the road does not necessarily mean safer driving as indicated by the increase in pedestrian and cyclists deaths.

More safety gear in the modern cars protecting the drivers from fatal injuries?

Or it can simply indicate greater traffic volumes on the road, necessitating slower speeds reducing driver fatalities, but greater danger for cyclists using these same roads, and those pedestrians crossing the road.

[Xplora]

Definitely enhanced safety features in cars. 7 airbags in larger cars is standard for many cars that aren't considered luxury models now. Fatalities are not the only measure for accidents (paralysis and permanent disability needs to be considered as well), but the fact is that physics can't be changed. Hitting a bike side on with 1500kgs can't be mitigated by the car or the bike. Only the driver can change that situation.