In looking at the reasons, there appears to be one outstanding explanation. Most states are restricting the use of automobile licenses for people between age 16 and 21. Restrictions such as immediate suspension for any driving problem. Even minor ones.
We should all be pleased with the success that state governments have had in carrying out this humane effort.
We could do twice as well. We could cut the current number of fatalities in half.
We could save 15,000 lives a year and over 100,000 disabilities. More than all the gun fatalities.
The two countries whose driving habits I have examined, Japan and Germany, have half the auto fatality rate that we have.
The Germans, drive on autobahns at speeds in excess of 150 mph. That is why their cars are so good. The Japanese went from no seatbelts to everyone wearing a seatbelt with no change in the fatality rate.
So how do these Japanese and Germans do it?
Answer: both countries have extremely difficult drivers tests.
The preparation for the test is expensive with roughly 40 hours of training. The drivers test for an automobile are almost as difficult as the tests I took to become a pilot.
When we want better and safer driving in the United States we know how to do it: have a difficult drivers tests.