Good News for Indiana Personal Injury Lawyers - Accident Fatalities Record Major Dip
As Indiana personal injury lawyers, we are encouraged at Governor Mitch Daniel’s announcement that the state has recorded the lowest auto accident fatalities in 2008. But we would advise caution against over optimism.
Statistics for 2008 show that there were 680 auto accident fatalities in Indiana this year. Governor Daniels compares that to the 670 deaths in that occurred in Indiana in 1925. Considering that there are at least 8 times more automobiles on the highway now than in 1925, it means that motorists in Indiana are 8 times safer now than they were then.
There is no doubt that these statistics are encouraging. Much of it has had to do with increased enforcement by Indiana state police. There have been more numbers of motorists cited, arrested and warned for traffic violations. In fact, 2008 marks the first time that police have issued approximately 1 million citations, arrests and warnings. Voluntary organizations like Mothers Against Drunk Driving have also done their bit to increase awareness about the dangers of intoxicated driving.
However, as far as Indiana personal injury lawyers are concerned, 680 deaths is 680 deaths far too many. We still don’t have a comprehensive cell phone and texting ban in place which could bring down those fatality rates further. Besides, we also have to take into consideration the fact that 2008 was a dismal economic year, with high unemployment and financial worries keeping Hoosiers home instead of out driving on the streets.
None of this is to take away from the accomplishments of state police who have done a commendable job of cracking down on intoxicated driving. But it would be dangerous if we choose to sit back and rest on these accomplishments.
