Human behavior is one of the biggest wildcards in preventing traffic deaths and serious injuries. That is why many transportation professionals now focus on designing systems that stay safe even when people inevitably make mistakes. Alcohol impaired driving is once again on the rise in the United States, and decades of awareness, education, and enforcement have not solved this problem. New research shows that alcohol is involved in nearly one-third of all traffic deaths, even as public concern about the issue remains very high. In other words, people know drunk driving is dangerous, but some do it anyway. This is not about excusing impaired driving but about acknowledging reality and designing transportation systems that reduce harm when risky behavior persists.
distracted driving
More attentive driving is a small win in tackling traffic deaths
New data shows distracted driving in the U.S. fell by 4.5% in 2023—its first decline since 2020. This offers some hope in addressing the nation’s awful traffic safety record, and it may have contributed to a 3.5% drop in traffic deaths that year. But distracted driving is just a small piece of the puzzle and should not keep transportation professionals from addressing the root causes of our safety crisis.