Every Second Counts: How Faster Crash Response Saves Lives

In 2021, more than 42,000 people died in U.S. traffic crashes. Many of those lives could have been saved if help had arrived just a few minutes sooner.

Now imagine this: a car collides on a rural highway at 2 a.m. No one calls 911. For ten long minutes, first responders and transportation crews have no idea the crash even happened.

This is the problem. Crashes are often under-reported or delayed. And in those lost minutes, lives are on the line, and roadways become more dangerous.

The Cost of Delayed Response

Every crash that goes unnoticed creates a ripple effect:

• Victims wait longer for care, lowering their chances of survival.
• Vehicles and debris block the road, leading to secondary crashes.
• Traffic backs up, creating more risk and frustration.
• Agencies and crews struggle to prioritize resources without reliable information.
  ‍

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, shaving just one or two minutes off crash notification times could save 177 to 244 lives every year in the United States. Research also shows that coordinated EMS and trauma systems can reduce crash fatality rates by as much as 25 to 50 percent.

The Transportation Perspective

For transportation officials, every minute of delay also adds up to gridlock, safety hazards, and lost public trust.

When a crash goes unreported:

• Congestion builds, slowing entire corridors.
• The risk of secondary crashes rises as drivers approach the scene unexpectedly.
• Maintenance and incident response crews often arrive late or without the right equipment.
  ‍

Crash Detection changes this equation. Officials gain instant awareness, allowing them to dispatch crews sooner, clear roadways faster, and reduce risk for everyone on the road.

The long-term benefits matter too. Crash data reveals hotspots where severe collisions occur, giving transportation leaders evidence to guide infrastructure improvements and prevent future tragedies.

The Power of Audio

Most crash detection tools rely only on cameras or vehicle data. Flock uses the power of audio.

Crashes make a sound that is impossible to ignore. The sharp crack of impact. The crunch of metal. The shatter of glass. Our sensors detect those unique audio signatures instantly, even when a crash happens out of sight.

For law enforcement, that means greater coverage across patrol zones. For dispatch centers, it means more reliable alerts. For transportation officials, it means better visibility into dangerous intersections and roadways.

Stronger Together: Audio and Video

Audio is fast. Video adds context. Together, they are powerful.

• Audio sensors detect the crash in real time.
• Video provides confirmation and visual evidence.
• Agencies and transportation officials gain both speed and clarity, enabling themget both speed and clarity to act quickly and with confidence.
  ‍

This combination reduces false positives and gives responders richer evidence to work with. It is a smarter, stronger way to detect crashes.

‍Closing the Gap

Flock Safety Crash Detection delivers immediate notifications with crash location and key details. Instead of waiting for a bystander to call 911, law enforcement agencies, dispatch centers, and transportation officials are notified immediately when a crash occurs.

The result is faster response, quicker roadway clearance, and safer communities.

Why It Matters

Behind every crash is a person waiting for help and a roadway at risk of becoming even more dangerous. A faster response can mean survival, and it can also keep communities moving safely.

That is why every second counts.

Sources

• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Earlier Crash Notification and Survival Outcomes. NHTSA Report PDF
  
• EMS.gov. Post-Crash Care Infographic (2021 data). EMS.gov‍
• SafeTREC, UC Berkeley. Traffic Safety Facts: Emergency Medical Services. SafeTREC