Current upticks in visitors deaths have sparked fear amongst security advocates, authorities officers and even the trade itself.

The toll — 1.36 fatalities per 100 million car miles traveled — has been known as “a nationwide disaster” by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

That mentioned, using in automobiles is at the moment far safer than it was in 1980 when visitors deaths hit an all-time peak of three.36 deaths per 100 million miles traveled.

The historical past of auto security is one in every of pivotal innovations and fierce political battles over what automakers ought to must construct into their automobiles and what folks needs to be compelled to do whereas on the street.

In previous years — earlier than these innovations and regulatory feuds — car security was largely an afterthought, whereas at this time the three-point seatbelt, little one security seats and airbags are ubiquitous.

Automakers reminiscent of Honda and Basic Motors aspire to promote automobiles that both eradicate visitors deaths or crashes altogether, with inventors shifting their consideration towards new applied sciences like driver help programs.

Certainly, some new driver help instruments, together with computerized emergency braking and pedestrian-detection programs, excite security advocates.

However such trendy programs additionally increase a brand new set of security questions. And the latest uptick in visitors deaths exhibits that regardless of all of the progress, using in automobiles continues to be not with out its dangers.

Watch the video to study extra.