Roads in general are less crowded as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic because more people in Ohio and throughout the country work from home. However, as a recent Forbes article highlights, more people have actually been dying in auto accidents. Although traffic volume in general has decreased by about 16%, traffic fatalities have risen. Why are there more traffic deaths if fewer drivers are on the highway? In short, drivers are being more careless and reckless—especially when it comes to speeding.
Pandemic Driving is Dangerous Driving
Excessive speeding has increased dramatically since stay-at-home orders were issued due to the coronavirus emergency—and even after those orders were lifted. Overall rates of traffic fatalities in the U.S. have increased by approximately 30%, and more drivers are being ticketed for speeding dozens of miles over the posted speed limits.
Why are more drivers being so reckless? According to the article, “research suggests that increased stress, more idle time, increased consumption of drugs and alcohol, and greater opportunities for speeding and stunt driving” are leading to higher rates of traffic deaths.
Speeding-Related Accidents and Injuries
While speeding is becoming a more serious problem during the pandemic, I want to make clear that speeding-related accidents happen even when more drivers are out on the roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), speeding kills thousands of people every year. In 2018 alone—well before the pandemic led to a downturn in automobiles on the roadways—a total of 9,378 people sustained fatal injuries in speeding-related accidents. The year before that, speeding was a factor in 26% of all report traffic fatalities. When a driver is speeding, she or he is more likely to lose control of their vehicle, and a crash is likely to be more severe as the driver’s speed increases.
As the NHTSA underscores, “speeding endangers not only the life of the speeder, but all of the people on the road around them, including law enforcement officers.” Accordingly, we all need to be aware of the dangers of speeding and to hold drivers accountable when they cause speeding-related collisions.
Contact Me for Assistance with a Speeding Accident Lawsuit
Speeding is a serious problem on Ohio roads at any given point in time, but speeding can actually be more prevalent when fewer drivers are on the road. Although it is true that more traffic collisions occur when there are more vehicles on the road, some drivers assume that less traffic means they can violate safety rules in shocking ways. If you or someone you love sustained injuries in a speeding-related accident during the pandemic or otherwise, I will do all that I can to help you with your claim.
I want to assure you that I am committed to holding the at-fault driver accountable for the financial losses they have caused in addition to your pain and suffering. I’ll Make Them Pay!® Do not hesitate to call my office at 877.614.9524 to learn more about filing a speeding-related accident claim.
