Traffic fatalities soared during and immediately after the coronavirus lockdowns of 2020. According to Reuters and preliminary data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), this disturbing trend is continuing into 2021. In the first 6 months of the year, approximately 20,160 people died in car crashes in the United States. This is an increase of 18.4% compared to the previous year, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg calls the situation “a crisis.”
Why Are Traffic Deaths Increasing?
Regulators attribute the increase in traffic deaths to more drivers engaging in unsafe behaviors, like speeding and driving under the influence. Many motorists believed police were less likely to issue tickets during the COVID-19 pandemic and behaved more recklessly as a result. The NHTSA documented a spike in speeding and traveling without a seatbelt, and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has decried the decrease in traffic safety enforcement and elimination of DUI task forces in some cities.
What Is Being Done?
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) plans to address the crisis with a National Roadway Safety Strategy in January. As Buttigieg explains:
“We cannot and should not accept these fatalities as simply a part of everyday life in America.”
With a comprehensive set of actions, Buttigieg and the DOT plan to reduce serious injuries and deaths across the country.
What Can I Do in the Meantime?
Until the DOT enacts its Safety Strategy, expect U.S. roadways to be more dangerous than normal. Stay focused whenever you are behind the wheel, practice defensive driving, and avoid engaging in reckless behaviors, like speeding or drinking and driving.
If you cannot avoid an accident, be sure to report the collision to local law enforcement and do everything you can to hold the other driver accountable for their actions. In some cases, this may mean filing a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver. Filing a lawsuit can also help you recover compensation for medical bills, missed wages, and other accident-related expenses.
If you need to file a lawsuit, The Law Office of Matthew Glassman can help. We have over 30 years of experience in personal injury law, and our caring and compassionate staff is ready to provide you with individual attention and advice.
We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients and offer no-cost initial consultations to help you get started.
Do not accept traffic accidents and fatalities that you did not cause. Instead, call us at (631) 406-4385 or contact us online for the justice you deserve.