Tag: frequency

Motor Vehicle Deaths in 2020 Estimated to be Highest in 13 Years, Despite Dramatic Drops in Miles Driven

Mary Pat Campbell

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/motor-vehicle-deaths-in-2020-estimated-to-be-highest-in-13-years-despite-dramatic-drops-in-miles-driven-301240410.html

Excerpt:

For the first time since 2007, preliminary data from the National Safety Council show that as many as 42,060 people are estimated to have died in motor vehicle crashes in 2020. That marks an 8% increase over 2019 in a year where people drove significantly less frequently because of the pandemic. The preliminary estimated rate of death on the roads last year spiked 24% over the previous 12-month period, despite miles driven dropping 13%. The increase in the rate of death is the highest estimated year-over-year jump that NSC has calculated since 1924 – 96 years. It underscores the nation’s persistent failure to prioritize safety on the roads, which became emptier but far more deadly.  

Author(s): National Safety Council

Publication Date: 4 March 2021

Publication Site: PR Newswire

NHTSA Confirms What You And I Already Know, People Are Driving Like Idiots

Mary Pat Campbell

Link: https://www.autoweek.com/news/industry-news/a34243178/nhtsa-confirms-what-you-and-i-already-know-people-are-driving-like-idiots/

Excerpt:

NHTSA just released some specs. When you look at the second quarter of 2020, the first full quarter of the pandemic, total traffic deaths have decreased by three percent compared to the second quarter of 2019. That translates into 302 fewer fatalities than the same period last year. I’m not discounting that drop, since Each man’s death diminishes me, For I am involved in mankind. However, the traffic volume didn’t drop just three percent, it dropped more than 16 percent. There should have been a lot fewer deaths than there were. The difference is idiots like the one I encountered.

NHTSA said that because traffic volumes decreased more significantly than the number of fatal crashes, the traffic fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles travelled is projected to increase to 1.25 in the first half of 2020, up from 1.06 in the same period in 2019.

Author(s): MARK VAUGHN

Publication Date: 2 October 2020

Publication Site: Autoweek