The National Safety Council (NSC) has released its findings for the first half of 2016 regarding motor vehicle fatalities. According to the NSC, fatalities from motor vehicle accidents increased nine percent from the same period a year before and eighteen percent from the previous year. During the first six months of 2016, approximately 19,100 people died in traffic accidents and 2.2 million people were seriously injured. The total cost from these deaths and injuries is $205 billion.

Florida had the largest increase in motor vehicle fatalities since 2014 in the United States. Florida’s increase in motor vehicle deaths was 43 percent, almost 20 percent more than the fifth largest increase (Kentucky at 24 percent).

Why Are Deaths From Motor Vehicle Accidents Increasing At Such High Rates?

The NSC points to lower unemployment rates and a stronger economy as leading factors for the increase in the rate of motor vehicle fatalities. Furthermore, the average gas price per gallon was 16 percent lower than the same time one year ago. This resulted in a 3.3 percent increase in the number of miles driven. […]