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Car accidents are, unfortunately, all too common in Oklahoma. While some car accidents and injuries are caused by acts of God or unavoidable circumstances, many are caused by human error. If you have been involved in a car accident, it is important to understand some recent statistics and the reasons behind them so that you may have a better determination of who could be at fault and whether you have a case for compensation.
5 Oklahoma Car Accident Stats
1. Unrestrained Occupant Fatalities are on the Rise
A three-year trendline (2019-2021) of occupant fatalities who were not wearing seatbelts shows virtually no downward movement, and only appears to be increasing. The trend shows:
- 208 unrestrained deaths in 2019.
- 227 unrestrained deaths in 2020.
- 259 unrestrained deaths in 2021.
It is estimated that around 20 percent of vehicle occupants neglect to buckle in. These numbers are alarming and suggest that more must be done to raise awareness about the importance of wearing seatbelts.
2. Pedestrian Fatalities Increased By Nearly 21 Percent from 2020.
While 2020 saw a slight decline in pedestrian deaths compared to 2019 (86 fatalities vs. 88), 2021 saw a sharp increase to 104 pedestrian deaths.
The most significant increases came between the hours of 6 PM to 10 PM every day. This suggests that motorists (or pedestrians themselves) should be more careful when driving around later in the evening into the night, which could be associated with distracted driving or poor visibility issues.
3. Rainy or Wet Roads Were the Leading Factor in Speeding Crashes
The most cited factor associated with speed-related collisions was rain or wet roads. Attributed to 25.6 percent of 7823 total speeding accidents in 2020, this exemplifies how important it is to maintain your speed in adverse weather conditions. Additionally, October, December and January were the three months with the most speeding accidents (880, 815 and 806, respectively).
4. More Than 7,000 Accidents Caused by Distracted Driving
In 2020, there were 7,290 distracted driving accidents across the state. Distracted driving continues to be a major issue on Oklahoma roads, with cell phone usage being the most common distraction, followed closely behind by eating/drinking.
5. Drunk Driving is More Common for Underage Drivers
17.24 percent of alcohol-related crashes were caused by drivers ages 15 to 19. In other words, this can be seen as 513 crashes out of 2,975 drunk driving accidents in Oklahoma.
In a survey published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 20 percent of respondents ages 12 to 20 admitted to drinking in the past month. Underage drinking and driving is a serious issue and should be addressed in order for the state to improve its overall safety standards.
Seeking Compensation and Justice with the Help of Fulmer Sill
In conclusion, Oklahoma road safety continues to be an issue of concern, especially with the growing number of accidents caused by careless and irresponsible behavior. By understanding what these common causes are and taking steps to reduce them, we can help keep our roads safe for all drivers.
If you were injured in a car accident in Oklahoma, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact us today at (405) 433-7414 or through our contact request page.