DECREASE IN TRAFFIC, BUT INCREASE IN FATALITIES?

The last two years have brought many changes for everyone. Many areas spent a significant amount of time in various stages of the lockdown.

There has been a dramatic change in traffic patterns in Texas and other parts of the country during the lockdowns. While there were fewer vehicles on the roads, many areas saw an increase in accidents.

Here are some of the causes of the increase and what the new traffic patterns meant for Texans.

LOOKING FOR THE CAUSE

Accident statistics are available, but analysis is an ongoing process. As researchers search for the causes of the increase in traffic deaths, some of the current ideas for reasons include:

  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving
  • Poor Driving
  • Lack of use of the seat belt
  • Increased night driving

Organizations such as the National Safety Council and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are looking at the causes of the increase in deaths and how to reduce these numbers.

WHERE TEXAS FITS IN

While it would be an exaggeration to say that the entire country experienced more traffic fatalities, the overall increase was significant, with only nine states seeing a reduction in fatalities. On the other hand, Texas saw an increase in deaths of more than 18 percent in 2020 over 2019.

While the jump in statistics is unusual, the causes of the accidents were not. Often the collisions were caused by speeding or distracted driving. When there are fewer drivers on the road and dramatically more deaths, it does raise some concerns. Several road safety organizations are viewing these changes as a sign that adjustments are needed in the current approach to road safety.

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