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But car accidents that result in injury or death can still happen
A car accident can happen at any time in Raleigh, Fayetteville, Dunn, or anywhere in North Carolina. Lives can be changed in an instant when a negligent driver causes a crash that leaves people with serious injuries. And too many times, lives are lost when some of those injuries prove to be fatal.
Everyone wants to make the roads safer, but making that happen is complicated and many times involves passing new laws. One national group has found that when it comes to the law, there are some definite changes that North Carolina can make to improve road safety.
Study finds room for improvement
Advocates For Highway & Auto Safety recently released its 2022 Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws. The group looked at data on fatalities from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and also examined each state’s traffic laws.
The group has put forth 16 optimal laws it believes every state needs to have to help reduce traffic crashes. The laws cover occupant protection, child passenger safety, novice teen and young adult drivers, impaired driving, and distracted driving.
North Carolina was graded “yellow,” meaning it has not passed all of these laws in some form. The report proposes that the state enact:
- A Primary Enforcement Seat Belt Law (rear)
- A Rear Facing Through Age 2 Law for child passenger safety
- A Booster Seat Law
- GDL – Minimum Age 16 for Learner’s Permit
- GDL – Age 18 for Unrestricted License
- Ignition Interlocks for All Offenders (impaired driving)
The report found that North Carolina had 1,373 traffic fatalities in 2019 with a 10-year fatality total of 13,473. It estimates that the annual economic cost due to traffic crashes in the state is $9.548 billion, factoring in medical expenses, property damage, and loss of productivity.
“With no state achieving a “perfect score” of enactment of all 16 and with overwhelming public sentiment that not enough is being done to reduce dangerous driving behavior, every state legislator should be motivated and energized to make positive, lifesaving changes this year,” the report states.
Founded in 1989, Advocates For Highway & Auto Safety unites public health, law enforcement, medical, safety, and consumer groups and insurance companies with the goal of finding ways to improve road safety.
Get experienced legal representation from a North Carolina car accident lawyer
It only takes one negligent driver to cause a crash that leaves people seriously hurt or killed. But holding these drivers accountable is not an easy task. Negligent drivers deny doing anything wrong, and insurance companies try to pay victims as little compensation as possible.
If you were injured or a loved one died in a traffic collision caused by someone else, it’s important to contact an experienced North Carolina car accident attorney as soon as possible to learn your legal options.
Brent Adams & Associates has been fighting for the injured in North Carolina since 1973. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial impact a car accident can have on victims and their families. Our attorneys investigate accidents to gather evidence that helps us build strong cases. And we fight the insurance companies to get the results our clients need and deserve.
Learn more about how we can help. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
