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How often is failure of the car itself the cause of a fatal automobile accident? Just looking at lack of seatbelt use and alcohol make up 50% of traffic fatalities. It seems that the "Human Choice" is the biggest thing to fix when it comes to auto accidents.

* https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/...

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I have a relative who worked at the FHWA (Federal Highway Admin) for many years. The estimate I often heard is that improper pavement design and maintenance were a factor in 20% - 30% of fatalities (think: asphalt). That friction with your tires is all that's really keeping you on the road. Many states refused to perform testing of their pavement because (a) they would have to remediate, and (b) they would likely have to go with less politically connected companies for pavement that would work better.

According to USDOT and NHTSA human error is responsible for 94% of human fatalities involving traffic crashes (including cyclist and pedestrian deaths).

If the human drives right into a huge wheel-swallowing pothole, is that "human error" or is it "improper pavement design and maintenance"?

The human should watch out. On the other hand, the pothole should be fixed.

It is probably typical to have multiple factors, making it easy to bend the numbers to one's liking.

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