Motor vehicle drivers throughout Alabama should be extra careful this year. While data is not yet out for this new year, the trend in 2015 showed an increase in traffic fatalities.

According to the NHTSA (“National Highway Transportation Safety Administration”), a January 2016 official report declared a startling increase in traffic fatalities in the first nine months of 2015. Approximately 26,000 people died in the U.S. during that time period in a traffic-related incident.

What does this translate into when compared to the previous year?

A whopping 9.3 percent increase in comparison to the same time period in 2014. The traffic data is reported to the NHTSA by the FHWA (“Federal Highway Administration”). What can be speculated as a contributing factor to the increased traffic fatalities is the increased driving. The first nine months of 2015 also saw an increase in VMTs (“Vehicle Miles Traveled”), going up 3.5 percent. With gas prices continuing to go down, this trend may unfortunately continue with a potential rise in fatalities in 2016.

While this can only by hypothesized given the current data, Alabama drivers should be especially cautious on roads this year. In fact, when divided by region, the NHTSA also found in the same January 2016 report that Region 4 (which included Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina and Florida) had a 16 percent increase in fatalities within the first nine months of 2015.

Whether you are driving a car, truck or motorcycle you should take extra precautions on the roadways of Alabama this year. For more information or to consult with our seasoned car accident lawyers in Alabama, reach out to our law firm today. With extensive experience and a proven track record, our personal injury law firm is here to help.