The dramatic increase in the number of cars on our roadways has contributed to congestion, air pollution, higher energy consumption, and a decline in our quality of life.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 40,000 people are killed ever year in automobile collisions. Nationwide, automobile collisions are the number one cause of death from every age 3 to 33. In Washington State, automobile collisions kill more people ages 1 to 44 than any diseases or injuries.
In 2000, the total economic cost of automobile collisions in Washington State was more than $3 billion dollars. Each year between 2001 and 2005 an average of 126,000 collisions occurred on Washington’s roadways. 3,700 people suffered fatal or disabling injuries each year resulting in the death of over 600.
Global warming is being caused by the buildup of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere. When fossil fuels are burned in automobiles, almost a pound of carbon dioxide is produced for every mile driven. In our state, motor vehicles produce more than half of the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to global warming.
Emissions from cars are a major source of local air pollution. Even with tougher laws on tailpipe emissions, cars still remain a leading source of air pollution, especially in urban areas. In Washington, vehicles produce more than half the emissions of air pollutants that can cause cancer, asthma and other health problems.
Every year an average car emits:
- 80 pounds of hydrocarbons
- 606 pounds of carbon monoxide
- 41 pounds of nitrogen oxides
- 10,000 pounds of carbon dioxide
- consumes 550 gallons of gas
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Every year the typical SUV emits:
- 114 pounds of hydrocarbons
- 894 pounds of carbon monoxide
- 59 pounds of nitrogen oxides
- 16,800 pounds of carbon dioxide
- consumes 915 gallons of gas
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Source: U.S. EPA Office of Mobile Sources
Vehicle use in the United State ranks among the highest in the world. On average we make more than 20 trips a week in our cars. What is the result? Less physical activity! If you replaced just 3 or 4 of these trips per week with another travel option, it could have immense positive impacts on your overall health.
Driving alone to work or driving to run all of your errands can be quite costly. If you consider things like the cost of gas, insurance, maintenance, and parking the cost of owning and driving a car ca be quite expensive. Studies have shown that many households in the U.S. spend more on owning and operating their cars than they do on housing or food. Click here to see how much it costs for you to drive and see how it compares to other modes of travel.
