Modern cars are full of safety features that drivers in previous decades never dreamed of having. Nonetheless, each year, thousands still die on the country’s roads.
The number of traffic fatalities actually increased by 8.5 % in 2021, although it is still below the peak of the 1970s. So why haven’t all these safety features cut deaths to a minimum? There are several reasons.
There are more vehicles on the road
Back in Henry Ford’s day, owning a car was a rare thing. These days, many households have multiple cars. The more vehicles there are on the road, the greater the chances are of a collision.
People think the safety features will protect them
It’s probable that people take more risks and increase their speed because they feel protected. Seat belts, airbags and crumple zones can certainly help protect you in a crash. However, there are limits to what they can do in a serious crash.
It’s easier to reach higher speeds
No longer do you have to rattle your way up to the maximum speed limit, hoping your engine won’t blow up in the process. Most cars today can take you over the speed limit with ease.
A few miles an hour faster can drastically reduce your chances of escaping a crash alive. It’s the same for any pedestrians that drivers hit.
One thing that has not changed through the ages is that someone usually needs to make a mistake for a crash to happen. If it was the other driver, you’ll want to learn how to prove that to get the compensation you need.