According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 38,824 traffic deaths were recorded in the United States in 2020, the highest number since 2007. In addition, it is estimated that there were more than 7 million car accidents. , which caused more than 3 million injuries.
The majority of traffic accidents occurred on local streets (58%), at or near an intersection (36%), and on roads with speed limits of 55 miles per hour or less. The main causes of traffic accidents were distracted driving (8.7%), excessive speed (16.7%), driving under the influence of alcohol (10.3%) and reckless driving (5.7%).
The fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled increased to 1.34, a 21% increase from 2019 and the highest since 20073. In 45% of fatal crashes, passenger vehicle drivers were involved in at least least one of the following risk behaviors: speeding, driving drunk or not wearing a seat belt.

How to Improve Safety

● Establish and enforce traffic laws that regulate the use of seat belts, the speed limit, alcohol and drug consumption, cell phone use and other risk factors.
● Promote road safety education from childhood to old age, through school programs, awareness campaigns, driving courses and information resources.
● Improve the design and infrastructure of public roads, incorporating safety elements such as signage, lighting, lane separation, pedestrian zones and cycle lanes.
● Promote the use of safe vehicles equipped with protection systems such as airbags, ABS brakes, stability control and emergency assistance.

●  Promote the usage of augmented reality devices such as driving simulators to create scenarios and generate more responsive skills
● Support research and innovation in road safety, through the collection and analysis of data, the development of new technologies and the evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions.
These measures aim to reduce deaths and injuries caused by traffic, which are the main cause of death of children and young people in the world2. The WHO has declared the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030, with the aim of achieving a 50% reduction by 2030.