UNSAFE ROADS- A LOOK BACK AT 2020

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), increased alcohol and drug use and the recklessness that can ensue may be to blame for the increased number of vehicular deaths per miles traveled in the U.S. in 2020.  While the pandemic may have quieted roads due to quarantines and the number of traffic and auto accidents declined at large, the number of vehicular deaths actually increased. COVID times saw less safe roadways as “…the number of people killed compared to the number of overall miles traveled rose in 2020 from 1.06 deaths per million vehicle miles traveled to 1.25 in 2020- an increase of nearly 18%.” Between March and July of 2020, the number of fatal car accidents involving alcohol rose from 21.3% to 26.9%, the number of fatal accidents involving marijuana rose from 21.4% to 31.2%, and the number of fatal accidents involving opioids rose from 7.6% to 12.9%.  Additionally, ejection rates also increased in 2020 particularly for males, those in rural parts and people in the 18-34 year old age range. 

Source: Ling, Danielle. “Americans are Driving More Recklessly in the Pandemic, Data Shows.” NU Property Casualty 360, January 14, 2021, https://www.propertycasualty360.com/2021/01/14/americans-are-driving-more-recklessly-in-the-pandemic-data-shows/. Accessed March 8, 2021.