6 in single extended family killed in Kentucky highway crash
 

6 in single extended family killed in Kentucky highway crash - U.S. News

After reading many studies concerning highway crashes and safety issues, it appears that driving on a highway/interstate is much more dangerous than driving on city streets. Reason? Speeds are much higher on highways/interstates versus city streets when combined with tailgaters. Tailgating at 40 MPH represents one type of risk, while tailgating at 70 - 80 MPH represents a greater risk.

The higher the speed the less room for mistakes. There are traffic lights involved in city driving which keeps speeds DOWN while on the highway everyone puts their foot to the floor board driving their bad brakes, bad shocks, no tread tires, loose tie rod ends trash heap of a car while yakking on their cell phones and tailgating the vehicle in front of them.

How stupid is that?

It's video game mentality transferred to the real world.

The mortality rate for automobiles is shockingly high, despite age restrictions, mandatory testing, licensing, insurance costs and safety features.

Actually, I believe the deaths per 100 millions miles traveled (the standard for comparisons) rate for interstates (limited access, divided) is way lower than for other US routes or state routes. And that tends to be the case all over the world. When you see a news story of some highway official spouting off about death rates being up, down or whatever, make them use that standard. The number of deaths this year could be up a bunch and it still be a good thing. Interstate deaths could be up by 50 percent and it would still be an improved rate if interstate miles driven was up 100 percent. Look at what they said, the real data and then figure out their agenda.

Yes, but the high mortality rate is a good deal for funeral directors.

I keep hearing the motorways are considerably safer. Got a link to a study to support your hypothesis?

About 2.5 million people die in the U.S. each year. Less than 40,000 of them die in motor vehicle accidents. Heart disease and cancer are the big killers.

FASTSTATS - Deaths and Mortality
FASTSTATS - Accidents or Unintentional Injuries

Please reread the OP.

Read the OP twice. Anecdotal reports are one thing. Statistical safety analysis is another.

Massage the data and it will confess to anything.