Researchers say the number of fatal traffic crashes in Alabama increased by nearly 25 percent last year.
Citing a recent University of Alabama study, The Tuscaloosa News reports that 1,058 people died in crashes statewide in 2016. That number is up 24.6 percent from the 849 people who died in 2015.
At the same time, the study says that the total number of crashes increased only about 2.1 percent from 2015.
David Brown, a research associate at the UA Center for Advanced Public Safety says that more of the crashes were deadly because people are driving faster, not wearing seat belts and driving while distracted.
Brown estimated that around 200 fatalities could have been prevented if people had been wearing seat belts.
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Charges Dropped Against ‘Poster Boy’ Florida Contractor Accused of Insurance Fraud 
Winter Storm Fern to Cause Up to $6.7B in Insured Losses 
Allstate CEO Wilson Takes on Affordability Issue During Earnings Call 
Chubb Posts Record Q4 and Full Year P/C Underwriting Income, Combined Ratio From This Issue
