Car crash deaths are on the rise. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) statistics show that the first quarter of this year saw deaths rise by 19% in comparison to the first quarter of 2019.
They also rose 7% over the same period last year. This is in marked contrast to the three years up to 2020 when traffic fatalities declined.
There is no equivalent rise in traffic to support this recent rise, so what is behind this fatal trend?
People are taking more risks
Road safety experts suggest that it comes down to risk-taking. People that take more risks when driving are more likely to crash, and the results of the crash are more likely to be fatal.
For example, speeding increases the chance someone loses control and increases the impact of any resulting crash. Some believe the rise is because the roads were emptier for a time during the last couple of years. Hence people got used to putting their foot down and have not stopped now that traffic has increased.
Another theory is that the police stopped pulling as many people over for traffic offenses because they were occupied with other things or were scared of catching something. So people did not have the fear of being caught to stop them from breaking the law.
Whatever the reasons for someone taking risks on the road, they need to accept the blame if their risk-taking causes an accident. There is a good chance they won’t, so getting legal help to hold them responsible will be crucial if they injure you in a crash.
