Self-Driving Coalition Statement on NHTSA’s 2016 Fatal Traffic Crash Report

Washington -- Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its annual fatal traffic crash report for 2016 showing that more than 37,000 people lost their lives on U.S. roads last year and revealing a disturbing trend of distracted, fatigued, and impaired driving on the rise.

In response the Self-Driving Coalition for Safer Streets issued the following statement from general counsel and former NHTSA Administrator David Strickland:

“With more than 37,000 lives lost on U.S. roads and highways last year, it is critical that policymakers support the safety benefits of fully self-driving technology. The United States cannot continue to witness these year-over-year increases in traffic fatalities.

“Human error causes 94% of all motor vehicle crashes, due to mistakes like speeding, fatigue and drunk and distracted driving. By removing humans from the driving process, self-driving vehicles offer an opportunity to significantly reduce the number of our loved ones killed and injured in crashes each year.”