IMHO, this is linked to the uptick in school shootings and mass shootings in general - social media and smart phones.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/death-rates...1518692401

Quote:U.S. motor-vehicle deaths remained near decade-high levels in 2017, an indication U.S. roadways aren’t getting any safer, even as auto makers equip cars with more safety gear and many other developed countries make notable strides in reducing highway fatalities.

The National Safety Council said Thursday traffic-related fatalities hit 40,100 last year, the second year in a row the 40,000 mark was surpassed.

Motor-vehicle deaths had steadily declined in the decade leading to 2016. But a surge in driver distraction, increased miles driven and other factors have driven the closely watched number up at an alarming rate.

The data, which differs from figures set to be released later this year by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, comes as cars themselves appear to be getting safer. More than 20% of the 17.5 million vehicles produced for the 2017 model year were equipped with so-called Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, or ADAS, a suite of technology that includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping steering aides and autonomous braking that helps avoid collisions, according to WardsAuto.com.

Just two years ago, fewer than 8% of vehicles were equipped with those features, WardsAuto.com says.

Quote:Many automotive executives have recently pointed to the role of drivers' increased use of smartphones in making roads less safe. While analysts and government agencies have trouble tracking the specific impact that in-cabin distractions play in rising fatality rates, car companies are increasingly adding features such as better voice commands and blue-tooth connectivity aimed at encouraging drivers to put their hands on the wheel and keep their eyes on the road.