On May 20, the National Safety Council released statistics showing U.S. highways have been deadlier during the pandemic. According to preliminary data from March, when Americans started driving less, the fatality rate per mile driven increased by 14 percent compared to the year before.
These statistics confirm reports from around the nation about speeding and reckless driving during the pandemic leading to many crashes and fatalities. Below, learn more about the increased risks for accidents during the pandemic and what you can do to help reduce your risk of a crash.
If an accident happens and someone else is at fault, call Arnold Law Firm to schedule a free legal consultation. One of our licensed Sacramento auto accident attorneys may be able to help you seek compensation for damages.
Unfortunately, the risk of a crash on the roadways has increased, according to the National Safety Council’s manager of statistics, Ken Kolosh. Even though there was an eight percent decrease in traffic deaths from March 2019 to March 2020, the decrease could have been even higher if the danger on U.S. roadways had stayed the same. The decrease should have been closer to 18 percent.
While the total number of miles driven dropped by nearly 20 percent (18.6 percent), compared to March of 2019, the death rate increased from 1.07 to 1.22 in March 2020.
Average speeds increased well above speed limits. In some cities, average speeds more than doubled, according to traffic data. State troopers in California, Maryland, Virginia and Minnesota said they wrote more speeding tickets. In some cases, drivers have been going over 130 mph.
“Unfortunately, with the anecdotal reports of risky driving, we fear that the fatality rate per hundred million miles traveled is going to continue to be elevated,” says Kolosh.
Trusting other drivers to make good decisions behind the wheel can be a recipe for disaster. Driving defensively has become even more important, regardless of what other drivers are doing.
While there are numerous reasons for car accidents, many are the result of another driver’s reckless actions, often speeding or distracted driving.
When these types of accidents happen, victims should consider meeting with an attorney. The legal process can be complicated and recovering maximum compensation can be challenging without representation. The attorneys at Arnold Law Firm have a proven history of recovering compensation for accident victims.
There are no upfront fees and the initial consultation is free. That means no risk to you in meeting with us to discuss your accident.
Call (916) 777-7777 to schedule your free consultation.