Extra individuals died in New York Metropolis car accidents in 2020 than in 2019, regardless of significantly diminished driving because of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent financial slowdown. The native pattern is per broader ones just lately referenced by Triple-I senior vp and chief actuary James Lynch.
As of this morning’s reporting on WNYC, 227 individuals had died in car-related accidents this 12 months in New York Metropolis, in contrast with 203 by this time final 12 months. This improve seems to be as a result of extra dashing and reckless driving, as documented by a doubling of dashing tickets in 2020, from greater than 2 million to 4 million.
Related tendencies are reported in different states. In Minnesota, 372 deadly accidents have been reported, in contrast with 346 this time final 12 months. Wisconsin reported a 7.4 % improve in auto fatalities.
In the course of the first six months of 2020, Colorado’s site visitors deaths rose simply by simply 1 % from the identical interval in 2019 – however the fatality price per automobile mile traveled rose by 20 %.
Nationally, Triple-I’s Lynch stated, “mileage pushed this 12 months is down 12 %, however site visitors fatalities are up 4 %. The priority is that frequency patterns will return to the norm, however quick driving will preserve declare severity excessive, placing upward strain on charges.”
WNYC’s Steven Nessen reported some excellent news with respect to pedestrian deaths in New York, that are right down to 93 from 108 this time final 12 months.
“If the town can stick with it, this will find yourself being the most secure 12 months for pedestrian deaths since Mayor DeBlasio took workplace,” Nessen stated.
Nessen additionally famous that deaths of bicyclists in New York Metropolis have been little modified in 2020 – notable as a result of bicycle use has elevated dramatically this 12 months – and that reckless drivers “appear principally to be killing themselves by hitting medians or bushes.”
“The place we see a giant leap in numbers is in bike deaths,” he continued. “These numbers practically doubled this 12 months, to forty-seven.”
This isn’t stunning, provided that bike fatalities – per automobile miles traveled – happen practically 27 occasions extra regularly than passenger automobile occupant fatalities in crashes.
