The National Safety Council released preliminary data on roadway and traffic fatalities last year. The results are sobering; over 46,000 individuals have died in traffic accidents in 2021. These numbers mark a 9% increase from 2020 and a staggering 18% increase from 2019. Lorraine Martin, president and CEO of the National Safety Council, called the numbers “unacceptable.” Also marking similar concerns by Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg’s statement in January describing the number of roadway deaths across the country as a “national crisis.”
Reasons For Risky Driving Behaviors
Although the root causes of the dramatic spikes are not known, a report by AAA found an increase in risky driving behaviors. Some of those include distracted driving, speeding, aggressive driving, substance-impaired driving, and not using seatbelts.
The surge in fatalities also came when more people began driving again as COVID lockdowns eased, especially in the second half of 2021.
As an experienced personal injury law firm in Tennessee, these are not just numbers to us. We’ve seen first-hand how deadly accidents can turn lives upside down and impact families for life. Let’s do our part and implement proper caution and care while on the roadways. This includes always buckling up and avoiding distractions involving smartphones or electronic devices. If we all do our part, we can lower the amount of roadway deaths that we see every year.
Conclusion
If you or a family member have been involved in an accident involving a death or severe injury resulting from a negligent driver, contact our Nashville-based office at 615-244-2111 for a free and confidential consultation, and we will assist you. Our law firm works on a contingency basis, so there is no fee unless a settlement or jury verdict award is reached on your behalf.
Because we care…
Stillman & Friedland
Tennessee Car and Accident Attorneys
