Study Done By NHTSA Says Car Crashes Impact On US Reaches $871 Billion Part I

Todd Sudeck is an industry veteran with over 30 years of experience in Paintless Dent Repair and Auto Reconditioning. He is the founder and President of The Ding King Training Institute and is widely recognized as the “King” of this specialized field. His expertise and leadership have set the standard for excellence in the industry, making The Ding King Training Institute the go-to destination for those seeking to learn from the best.

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Study Done By NHTSA Says Car Crashes Impact On US Reaches $871 Billion Part I

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As a PDR Technician, you should be interested in these facts. For one, collision repair statistics and studies are paramount to the success of your business. Knowing what the statistics are provides you a greater understanding that the incorrect rumors that say ‘Collision Repair is being phased out’ is as far from the truth. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released this new study that serves to underscore the high economic toll and societal impact of motor vehicle crashes in the U.S.

This $871 billion includes economic costs ringing in at $277 billion, nearly $900 for each person living in the U.S. based on 2010 data, and $594 billion in harm from the loss of life, pain and decreased quality of life due to injuries.

The U.S. Secretary Anthony Foxx says “No amount of money can replace the life of a loved one, or stem the suffering associated with motor vehicle crashes,” and that  “While the economic and societal costs of crashes are staggering, today’s report clearly demonstrates that investments in safety are worth every penny used to reduce the frequency and severity of these tragic events.”

NHTSA’s new study, The Economic and Societal Impact of Motor Vehicle Crashes 2010, cites several behavioral factors as contributing to the huge price tag of roadway crashes based on the 32,999 fatalities, 3.9 million non-fatal injuries and 24 million damaged vehicles that took place in 2010. Key findings include:

Drunk Driving: Crashes caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol accounted for 18 percent of the total economic loss due to motor vehicle crashes and cost the nation $49 billion, an average cost of $158 for every person in the U.S. Including lost quality of life, these crashes were responsible for $199 billion or 23 percent of the overall societal harm caused by motor vehicle crashes. More than 90 percent of these costs occurred in crashes involving a drunk driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.