After six consecutive years of declining fatalities on our nation’s highways, the National Highway Traffic & Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that motor vehicle crashes and fatalities increased in 2012. The nation lost 33,561 people in crashes on roadways during 2012, compared to 32,479 in 2011. Over the last two years, most fatal motor vehicle accidents have taken place during the last quarter of the year from October through December. Florida’s 2,424 traffic fatalities in 2012 were the third most in the country behind Texas and California. Although the NHTSA report points out that the increase does not seem to be associated with any one particular issue, including alcohol impairment, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is urging law enforcement agencies to aggressively be on the lookout for impaired drivers during the upcoming holidays.
MADD is urging everyone not to drink and drive and to plan use a designated nondrinking driver during the holidays.