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The COVID-19 pandemic shut down practically each a part of American society in a single day, emptying streets and making many areas really feel like ghost cities. Additionally, many individuals took benefit of the open roads by driving recklessly and at extreme speeds. So, whereas there have been fewer individuals on the roads, extra individuals died in site visitors accidents than ever earlier than, with the dying toll reaching practically 39,000 in 2020. The quantity continued to rise by way of 2021, reaching a peak of 42,915, however has declined over the 2 years. In keeping with a current report from the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration, a line.
NHTSA famous that site visitors deaths fell 3.6 % final 12 months to 40,990. That's down from 42,514 in 2022, however nonetheless larger than any 12 months since 2008, earlier than the pandemic. Drunk drivers, rushing and enormous numbers of individuals driving with out seatbelts contributed considerably to the full.
Though site visitors deaths decreased between 2022 and 2023, the variety of pedestrian and bike owner deaths elevated in 2022. A complete of seven,522 pedestrians and 1,105 cyclists had been killed, the best quantity for pedestrians since 1981 and the best quantity for cyclists since 1980. Extra drivers age 65 or older additionally died in 2022, growing 4.7 % to 7,870, essentially the most since NHTSA started record-keeping in 1975.
The company launched the numbers whereas launching its “Put Your Telephone Away or Pay” security marketing campaign, which goals to remind drivers of the hazards of distracted driving. It stated 3,308 individuals had been killed and a staggering 289,310 had been injured because of distracted driving. Subsequently, whereas site visitors deaths are declining at a sluggish fee, distracted drivers stay a major menace to pedestrians, cyclists, and different “susceptible street customers”.
NHTSA recorded 621 such deaths in distraction-related crashes in 2022. “Distraction is available in many types, however it may also be prevented,” stated Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman. Our rebranded marketing campaign reminds everybody to place their telephones away or pay, as distracted driving might price you a advantageous – and even price you or another person's life on the street “