A preview of a report that was issued earlier this month by the United States Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed that for 2019 the fatality rate on U.S. roads was 1.10, the lowest rate since 2014. This is great news.
While the report did not single out statistics for Connecticut auto accidents, it did indicate the dramatic drop was also seen while the number of miles that U.S. drivers were traveling increased. The numbers broke down like this:
- 36,096 fatalities in 2019 (down 739 from 2018)
- Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) up 1% since 2018
- Passenger vehicle fatalities down 2.8%
- Motorcycle fatalities down .5%
- Pedestrian fatalities down 2.7%
- Bike fatalities down 2.9%
While fatalities of any kind are tragic and need to be addressed, the fact that these areas are trending down is a positive thing. The one area that remained relatively flat in the study was fatalities that involved a large truck. While there was one less fatality in this area, it was statistically insignificant and therefore is reported as being flat.
Another area the report covers is the first six months of 2020 which saw a decrease in traffic volume by 16% due to the COVID-19 economic shutdown. While there was a decrease in traffic volume the number of fatalities remained steady from 2019 to 2020 and therefore the fatality rate increased in the first half of the year.
While Connecticut roads are much more crowded in the second half of 2020 as businesses reopen, the likelihood that you will end up in a Connecticut auto accident remains high. Therefore, you need to keep your eyes on the road at all times and drive safely.
If you or a loved one was in an accident, you may need an attorney to review your case. Contact our office immediately.
