Today the Xinhua News Agency in China confirmed once again that Chinese roads are the deadliest in the world. Chinese government statistics reported nearly 82,000 road deaths last year and, with 5.1 traffic deaths for every 10,000 motor vehicles, China has topped the list for the 11th consecutive year.Private car ownership in China has soared along with the country's economic boom and inexperienced drivers, overloaded vehicles, reckless driving, and poor road conditions are common and frequently contribute to fatal crashes. Apparently, another contributing fator in the high number of fatalities is the ability of Chinese cars to sef-destruct during a crash as demonstrated by the crash test video of a new Chinese-built Cherry automobile.
Trivia of Note:
- The world average is two deaths per 10,000 vehicles.
- The most current U.S. government statistics report about 1.7 fatalities per 10,000 registered vehicles in 2006.
- In 1899 the first US automobile fatality occurred when Henry H. Bliss, age 68, was struck and killed by an electric-powered taxicab as he stepped from a streetcar at Central Park West and 74th Street in New York City.
- In 1952 the US recorded its one millionth traffic fatality and in 1995 recorded its three millionth traffic fatality.
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