Traffic deaths have surged 30% over the past decade, with nearly 10,000 more fatalities a year occurring in the past few years than in 2013, when there were 32,893. Even though there were fewer vehicles on the roads during the pandemic, there were more crashes. According to NPR, during that time, behavior on the roadways changed. “Speeders tend to be going faster than before, drinkers drunker, there’s more marijuana and drug use, [and], of course, people are looking at their phones.” In addition, there were fewer traffic enforcement officers available during the pandemic to monitor the roads.
How safe were the roadways in 2023?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Agency, there were more than 40,000 traffic-related deaths in 2023. Compared with the figures from the four years prior, 2023 saw an average number of traffic deaths:
- 2023: There were 1.34 deaths per 100 million miles traveled for a total of 40,000
- 2022: There were 1.35 deaths per 100 million miles traveled for a total of 42,795
- 2021: There were 1.37 deaths per 100 million miles traveled for a total of 42,939
- 2020: There were 1.34 deaths per 100 million miles traveled for a total of 39,007
- 2019: There were 1.14 deaths per 100 million miles traveled for a total of 36,355
Connecticut’s roadways have been somewhat safer than other states, with 161 traffic deaths in the first half of 2023, which is 1.13 deaths per 100 million miles traveled.
Pedestrian deaths at record levels
Unfortunately, pedestrian deaths have increased due to the popularity of larger truck-style vehicles with poor sightlines. These types of vehicles have made it increasingly dangerous for pedestrians, cyclists, road workers and others on the roadways. Specifically, pedestrian deaths have gone up nearly 80% nationally in the last decade, with an estimated 7,500 deaths in 2022, which is the highest in 41 years.
