What Are The Odds Of Dying In A Car Crash

The odds of dying in a car crash depend on how the risk is measured. A person’s lifetime risk is different from the risk during a single trip, per mile driven or in a particular year. National safety organisations periodically publish lifetime odds based on recent U.S. mortality data, but those figures change as traffic deaths, population and driving patterns change. Individual risk also varies considerably. Seat-belt use, speed, alcohol or drug impairment, vehicle safety, road type, mileage driven, age and driving behaviour can all affect the likelihood of a fatal crash. A single national “odds” figure therefore should not be interpreted as a prediction for one driver. The practical ways to reduce risk are well established: wear a seat belt on every trip, drive at an appropriate speed, avoid impaired and distracted driving, maintain the vehicle and increase caution in poor weather. For research or publication, use a current source and clearly state whether the statistic represents annual risk, lifetime odds or another measure.