Californians routinely complain about traffic, the cost of housing, and the overall quality of life. Some have complained so much that have actually left the state in search of a different life. You might conclude that having fewer people would lower traffic fatalities. According to a recent study that hasn’t stopped traffic fatalities from increasing.
TRIP is a nonprofit transportation research organization and their research found traffic fatalities in California increased by 22% from 2019 to 2022. Researchers also found the likelihood of being killed in a traffic crash increased by 28% during that same time frame. Studies from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) arrived at similar conclusions. The NHTSA reported traffic fatalities hitting a 16-year high across the country in 2021.
The TRIP report looked at traffic fatalities on a national level and found traffic fatalities increased by 19%. While vehicle traffic dramatically decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic, more people got back on the road as pandemic-era safety ordinances expired. In California vehicle traffic returned to its pre-pandemic levels by 2022, Rocky Moretti, TRIP Director of Policy and Research and the study’s author, told KTLA.
The research shows traffic fatalities are increasing as California’s population is decreasing due in large part to an increase in dangerous driving. “We’ve seen a significant increase in the number of people unbelted being killed in traffic crashes; we saw a 23% increase in speeding-related crashes and a 22% increase in alcohol-related crashes,” Moretti said. “The research suggests that after the pandemic, motorists were being more aggressive and were taking greater risks on the roads,” he explained. “And we see that in the numbers, which clearly show that traffic fatalities have increased significantly during that period.”
The reason for the increase in dangerous driving behavior is unclear and the fault lies with each driver. The dramatic increase in traffic-related fatalities in California has urged officials to take steps to ensure the roads are safe for everyone. Moretti says that state and federal transportation agencies should have adequate funding to improve roadway conditions for everyone. “That can include adding rumble strips, paving shoulders, adding turn lanes and having lighting in urban areas,” Moretti said. “The report points out that in California, 29% of traffic fatalities are of pedestrians and bicyclists. So the challenge is to make the roadway environment as safe as possible for motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists.”
The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017 was signed into law and included a $5.4 billion annual investment to fix the state’s roads, freeways and bridges. In 2021, California received additional funding from the federal government for roadway investments. The reality is that drivers should adhere to standard safe driving practices, including adherence to the posted speed limit, never driving while impaired or under the influence, and compliance with seat belt laws to minimize avoid traffic-related incidents and fatalities.
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