With improved car safety technologies becoming more common in vehicles on our roads, one would expect road safety to improve.
But sadly, that is not the case. One example that illustrates this fact is the increase in Ohio traffic fatalities in recent years.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, traffic fatalities in Ohio have been increasing since 2019:
- 2021 traffic fatalities: 1,359
- 2020 traffic fatalities: 1,230
- 2019 traffic fatalities: 1,155
The COVID-19 pandemic made its full impact in 2020. As a result, more and more people stayed at home, began working from home, and subsequently traffic majorly decreased. Yet, 2020 saw more traffic fatalities than 2019 and earlier years. Nationwide, there was a 7 percent increase in motor vehicle accidents in 2020.
Analysis by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that speeding, impaired driving, and lack of seatbelt use contributed to higher fatality rates in 2020.
Take a look at these earlier traffic fatality statics from Ohio:
- 2018 traffic fatalities: 1,068
- 2017 traffic fatalities: 1,179
- 2016 traffic fatalities: 1,133
Any way you look at it, an increase in traffic fatalities is not a good thing. Road traffic safety affects all drivers and passengers on Ohio’s roads and highways. Perhaps the best thing Ohioans can do is use this information proactively and take personal responsibility to prioritize driving safety.