Auto Safety Regulations Have Saved Nearly 6 Million Lives

Jul 26,2018

Safety regulations are usually unexciting, sometimes inconvenient, developments that don’t receive much attention or praise. But auto safety regulations have greatly reduced the risk of injury and death on the road over the years. In fact, a study published in the Journal of Public Health Policy estimates that auto safety regulations have prevented 5.8 million deaths since the first auto safety standards were enacted in 1968.

The study examined safety regulations including mandatory seat belt laws, airbags, stricter licensing rules for young drivers, and vehicle safety technology. Seat belt laws have been one of the most significant regulations. The use of seat belts has shown to reduce the risk of death in a crash by nearly half. Before seat belts were mandatory, only about 15% of vehicle occupants used them. Now nearly 90% of vehicle occupants use seat belts.

Would More Regulations Improve Safety?

Highway deaths in the U.S. decreased by 41% from 1972 to 2011, according to a 2014 study published in the American Journal of Public Health. During the same time period, though, traffic deaths in the Netherlands decreased by 81%. Moreover, there were 24 other countries in the study where traffic deaths declined by a greater percentage than in the U.S. The study’s author, Leonard Evans, concluded that traffic deaths could be significantly reduced with “sensible traffic laws sensibly enforced for a public aware that by far the biggest risk to them and their families is from vehicular traffic.”

“Auto safety regulations have undoubtedly contributed to a reduction in vehicle deaths and injuries over the years, but more can still be done to improve road safety,” said Attorney Walter Clark, founder of Walter Clark Legal Group.

Our firm has been handling personal injury cases throughout the California Low Desert and High Desert communities for over 30 years. With a 95% success rate, the California personal injury attorneys at Walter Clark Legal Group will fight to hold those responsible for your loss accountable and win compensation to cover medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If you have been injured in an auto accident and want to discuss your legal options, contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer. We have offices in Indio, Rancho Mirage, Victorville, El Centro, and Yucca Valley, and represent clients through the entire California Low Desert and High Desert communities.

DISCLAIMER: The Walter Clark Legal Group blog is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal or medical advice. References to laws are based on general legal practices and vary by location. Information reported comes from secondary news sources. We do handle these types of cases, but whether or not the individuals and/or loved ones involved in these accidents choose to be represented by a law firm is a personal choice we respect. Should you find any of the information incorrect, we welcome you to contact us with corrections.