Written by: Mitchell Panter • July 11, 2022• Featured Legally Speaking Safety

Road Deaths Increased by More Than 10% in 2021 Nationwide

In their July 2022 report, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) noted a 10.5% increase in traffic fatalities for the previous year (42,915 deaths). After a period of relative decline, road fatalities began ticking upward with the start of the pandemic in 2020 despite there being fewer cars on the road.

A survey by Owl Labs found that currently 92% of individuals expect to work from home at least one day a week and 80% expect to work from home three days a week. It is, therefore, safe to assume that there are fewer commuters on the road now than before the pandemic — yet the number of road fatalities has surprisingly gone up across the country.

Why are there more road fatalities in 2021 than in previous years?

The NHTSA blames the steady increase in traffic deaths over the last three years on reckless driving, citing behavioral research that shows higher instances of driving over the speed limit and driving without a seat belt. Traffic experts reported to Vox that fewer cars on the road allowed for less traffic congestion, which emboldened more drivers to travel at lethal speeds.

In an article for the New York Times, journalist David Leonhardt offers another reason for this deadly trend that has surged during the pandemic, writing: “People are frustrated and angry, and those feelings are fueling increases in violent crime, customer abuse of workers, student misbehavior in school and vehicle crashes.”

How can drivers help prevent deadly accidents?

According to the Federal Highway Administration, more than half of all accidents that result in a fatality happen at intersections. Therefore, drivers should always approach cautiously and never accelerate through an intersection. If there is a traffic light present, a driver should respect the yellow light and slow to a stop instead of trying to rush through the intersection before the red light appears. When there are stop signs present, drivers should come to a full and complete stop and check for any approaching traffic before continuing on their route.

As mentioned by traffic experts, one of the leading causes of road deaths is speeding. A driver should always follow the speed limit and refrain from traveling at unsafe speeds. Further, drivers should keep in mind that the far right or second to right lane is intended for slower travel. Those traveling at higher speeds or passing another vehicle should employ the left lane. From this perspective, the safest lane to drive in is the far right lane.

NHTSA has reported that of the over 20,000 individuals killed in an accident in 2020, 51% were not wearing seat belts. Wearing a seat belt could save almost 3,000 additional lives a year if drivers and passengers choose to wear them properly. Every individual in a vehicle should always wear a seat belt, as it is one of the simplest habits in preventing road fatalities.

According to Bankrate.com, distracted driving is the cause of approximately 3,000 deaths a year. Distracted driving behaviors include texting, eating and using the GPS while driving. Before heading out on the road, drivers should ensure they have taken every precaution to prevent distracted driving. For more information on how to prevent distracted driving, read our recent blog post “2022 Safe Driving Resolution: Eyes Up, Phones Down” at panterlaw.com/2022/01/10/safe-driving-resolution.

The best way to prevent a tragic traffic accident is to become a defensive driver, according to the American Safety Council. Some techniques taught in defensive driving courses include anticipating when another car will pull out and not following other vehicles too closely. The American Safety Council and other organizations offer defensive driving courses throughout Florida and online. Drive Safe

At Panter, Panter & Sampedro, we strive to help keep our community safe by sharing safety information like this. Our leading personal injury law firm has been dedicated to protecting Florida’s families for over 30 years. For a free consultation, please contact us at 305.662.6178.

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