Self-Driving Coalition Statement on NHTSA’s 2017 Fatal Traffic Crash Report

Washington -- Today, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released its annual fatal traffic crash report for 2017 showing that more than 37,000 people lost their lives on U.S. roads last year.

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 should not accept these numbers with complacency.

“Human error causes more than 94% of all motor vehicle crashes due to mistakes like speeding, reckless driving, fatigue, and drunk and distracted driving. By removing humans from the driving process entirely, fully self-driving vehicles offer an opportunity to significantly reduce the number of crash fatalities and injuries.”