How Dangerous is it Driving in California?

This year is gearing up to be one of the deadliest year on the roads for California and is on pace to be the deadliest since 2007, according to a report by the National Safety Council.

For the first six months of year, 1,566 people have died in crashes -- a 20-percent increase from the same period last year, according to the report.

“Follow the numbers: the trend we are seeing on our roadways is like a flashing red light -- danger lies ahead,” said Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. “Be a defensive driver and make safe decisions behind the wheel. Your life really depends on it.”

The lower cost fuel and low unemployment rate are some of the contributing factors, according to the NSC. Because more people can afford to take vacations and travel further, that translates more people on the roads and increasing the likelihood of traffic collisions.

Nearly 19,000 people have died and 2.2 million more seriously hurt in traffic crashes nationally in the first six months of this year , according to the NSC.

To help ensure road safety, the Councils recommends drivers buckle up, have a designated driver when drinking, get plenty of sleep to avoid fatigue and stay off mobile devices while driving.

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