2020 – the Year of Record Motor Vehicle Deaths
Despite the pandemic and the resulting stay-at-home orders issued across the nation, the United States saw a sharp increase in fatal motor vehicle accidents in 2020. Data compiled by the National Safety Council (NSC) shows that over 42,000 people died in crashes in 2020, an alarming 24% spike over the previous year. According to the NSC, this increase was the “highest estimated year-over-year jump” since 1924, when the NSC first began its recordkeeping!
According to Ken Kolosh, NSC’s Manager of Statistics, “Federal data shows that Americans drove 13% fewer miles last year and yet the number of deaths rose at an alarming rate.” Although 2020 was a year that saw far less motor vehicles on the road, there was, surprisingly, no safety benefit to the public. What was the number one cause for these unnecessary deaths? Speed!
Unfortunately, our Westchester community had its share of fatal accidents in 2020, ending the year with a tragic crash in Yonkers, killing five teenagers. The investigation concluded that speeding and reckless driving were the causes of this horrific accident. Crashes remain one of Westchester’s primary public safety issues, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s statistics.
In a recent report compiled for the purpose of decreasing the number of traffic deaths, some of the immediate life-saving measures that would help to stem the number of deaths in our area include:
- Lowering the speed limits
- Laws banning all cell phone use, including hands-free
- Updating seatbelt laws to extend to all passengers in all types of vehicles
- Three-tiered licensing system for new drivers under 21, rather than 18
As traffic returns to pre-pandemic levels, adhering to traffic safety laws remains a paramount consideration for all.
Allies of Injury Victims
If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident in Westchester, call Denlea & Carton. Our injury lawyers help accident victims file injury claims if their injuries were caused by another driver’s negligence. Contact us today to discuss your legal options in a free consultation.
