New York has, unfortunately, seen an upsetting trend when it comes to motor vehicle accidents. Despite the fact that there were fewer vehicles on the road due to the coronavirus pandemic, there were more motor vehicle fatalities in 2020 than in the previous year. Ironically, it may be COVID-19, and the emptier roads that resulted from the COVID-19 quarantine, that are to blame for the deadlier roads this year.
Looking at the Statistics
Despite the fact that traffic was reduced by as much as half of what it was in 2019, the number of fatalities due to motor vehicle accidents went up in 2020. In New York City alone, there were 243 motor vehicle fatalities, a nearly 11% increase over the previous year. This is despite safety measures being implemented, such as a reduction in the speed limit on certain roads, to try to reduce the rate and lethality of motor vehicle accidents throughout the city.
How Empty Roads Lead to More Accidents
According to safety experts, the empty roads may actually be to blame for the greater number of accidents and fatalities this year. Without the normal traffic to obstruct them, people were more inclined to speed, with speeding tickets also reaching a record high in 2020. The emptier roads may also have encouraged people to break other traffic laws that increase the likelihood of motor vehicle accidents. Officials at the Department of Transportation are looking at other steps they can take to try to get people to drive more safely, which can protect their lives and the lives of others.
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