The Wall Street Journal reports that the recent surge in fatalities raises “fresh concerns over distracted driving and highlighting efforts to equip vehicles with technologically advanced safety gear at an accelerated pace. Traffic deaths rose 10.4% in the first half [of 2016], the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on [October 5], a steep increase following a surprising uptick in fatalities last year. The recent increases led government officials to announce . . . that they are partnering with the National Safety Council in an effort to end traffic fatalities within 30 years.”
