Mississippi has a big problem. We have the highest number of fatal car crashes per capita in the US. Our state sees a horrifying 22.2 traffic fatalities per 100,000 people. The next highest contender? South Carolina, with a rate of 20 fatalities per 100,000 people. How is this possible?
To find out what we can do about this issue, we need to look at the #1 cause of Mississippi car crashes.
The #1 Cause
According to the Mississippi Office of Highway Safety, nearly 30% of Mississippi traffic fatalities involve a drunk driver. Police have the ability to significantly reduce these crashes, but it depends on increasing DUI checkpoints. In general, when the number of Mississippi DUI arrests goes down, the number of DUI fatalities goes up.
Other Factors
Drunk driving is only a third of the problem. Speeding and distracted driving make up a large percentage of the remaining crashes. Speeding accounts for about 15% of Mississippi traffic fatalities. That number could be much lower if more people followed safety guidance. At present, 22% of Mississippi residents do not wear seatbelts while in a motor vehicle. When those people are involved in a crash, there’s nothing keeping them tethered to the vehicle, which is why they suffer much more severe injuries.
Distracted driving also plays a role in car crashes. Around 18% of Mississippi car crashes occur when drivers aren’t paying attention to the road. Cellphones aren’t the only cause for this. Often, distracted driving is the result of daydreaming or becoming bored while driving.
Summer Spikes
As we discussed previously, summer sees a huge increase in car crashes. The 4th of July is especially dangerous, accounting for 2% of the entire year’s DUIs. Whatever your plans for this summer, please drive safely and buckle up. Your life may depend on it.
If you or someone you love suffered serious injuries in a car accident, we can fight for you. If you’d like an experienced Starkville injury attorney from Vollor Law Firm, P.A. to evaluate your case, please send us an email or call (662) 269-6188.