Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, North Carolina roadways have been less busy than ever before. Despite North Carolina roadways being less busy, fatal auto collisions were more frequent in 2020 than in 2019.
Traffic Trends During Pandemic
In 2020, accidents in the state were fewer in overall, but deadlier. The number of accidents dropped by 15%. However fatalities increased by 11% over the previous year (2019), according to the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT).
According to the Washington Post, traffic decreased 41% compared to pre-pandemic levels. Even with this decline, drivers are still making risky and negligent decisions behind the wheel.
During the first nine months of 2020, an estimated 28,190 people died in automobile collisions, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an increase of about 4.6% compared with the fatalities reported in the first nine months of 2019.
Leading Causes of Reckless Driving
Speeding, distracted driving and impaired driving were the three main causes of fatal car collisions in 2020. Out of these three, speeding seemed to be the most common. The Washington Post reports that in some of the most congested areas of the country, average speeds increased by as much as 250 percent.
A spike in impaired driving collisions is a documented attribute of the pandemic. The percentage of drivers who tested positive for either drugs or alcohol between July-September of last year was 61%, according to the NHTSA.
Automobile Collision Attorneys
If you or a loved one have been injured due to the negligence of another driver, you deserve to have an experienced attorney in your corner.
Maginnis Howard’s personal injury attorneys have years of experience handling complex automobile collision cases. All personal injury matters will be handled on a contingency basis. You can contact our firm by phone at (919) 526-0450 or through our contact page.
