WASHINGTON — U.S. site visitors deaths soared by 18.4% within the first six months of 2021 from the identical interval a yr earlier, for essentially the most lethal first half on American roads since 2006, the Transportation Division stated on Thursday.
Visitors deaths surged after coronavirus lockdowns led to 2020 as extra drivers engaged in unsafe conduct like speeding, regulators stated.
It was the biggest six-month improve ever recorded within the Fatality Evaluation Reporting System’s historical past, which has been in use since 1975, the company stated.
“This can be a disaster,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated in an announcement. “We can’t and mustn’t settle for these fatalities as merely part of on a regular basis life in America.”
The Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security (NHTSA) estimated 20,160 individuals died automotive crashes within the first six months of 2021 in the USA, up 3,140 over the identical interval in 2020.
NHTSA launched behavioral analysis findings from March 2020 via June 2021 “indicating that incidents of rushing and touring and not using a seatbelt stay increased than throughout pre-pandemic instances.”
NHTSA stated within the second quarter of 2021 alone, site visitors deaths rose by 23.1%, the very best quarterly improve ever. That was partly as a result of driving a yr earlier was down dramatically because of COVID-19 lockdowns.
NHTSA famous that car miles traveled rose 13% within the first half of this yr however nonetheless, the fatality fee was the very best on U.S. roads since 2006.
Visitors deaths in three areas of the nation overlaying a lot of the Western and Higher United States have been up 25% or extra
NHTSA stated final yr that one issue within the large soar in 2020 was that drivers who remained on roads after lockdowns engaged in riskier conduct.
Some consultants stated that as U.S. roads grew to become much less crowded, some motorists engaged in additional unsafe conduct, together with those that perceived police have been much less prone to concern tickets due to COVID-19.
