The federal administration has released the final traffic accident fatality data for the year 2020, and the results are even worse than we expected. The administration confirms that the number of traffic accident deaths in 2020 was not just high, but also actually the highest on record in 15 years.
According to the data by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 38,824 traffic accident fatalities in 2020. This was a significant 6.8% increase in the number of traffic accident deaths recorded in 2019. In 2019, there were a total of 36,355 traffic accident fatalities recorded by the federal administration.
However, there was a significant decrease in the number of overall accidents and injuries in 2019. In fact, there was a staggering 22% decrease in accidents since 2019. Interestingly enough, the number of people injured in accidents actually dropped by approximately 17% in 2020, compared to the previous year.
According to the federal administration, the number of fatalities on toll was the highest on record since 2007. According to other more interesting findings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were fewer accidents and injuries, but a higher number of fatal accidents in 2020, compared to the previous year.
Most disturbingly, close to 50% of the accidents that resulted in deaths involved negligent and risky driving behavior by motorists. For instance, in 45% of the fatal traffic accidents, motorists were driving under the influence of alcohol, speeding or not wearing a seat belt at the time. This is confirmed by the increase in the number of accidents involving these poor driving behaviors. There was an increase of 8.5 % in urban traffic accident fatalities, while rural traffic fatalities dropped by 2.3%.There was also a drop in the number of older motorists above the age of 65 involved in accidents, while there was an increase in the number of fatalities involving younger drivers below the age of 65. The highest increase in facilities was recorded in the 25-34 age group, and deaths in this group increased by a significant 1,117 fatalities.
The number of males dying in traffic crashes increased by a staggering 8.6%, while interestingly enough, female traffic accident deaths increased by just about 1.9% in 2020. There was an increase in traffic deaths that occurred in the night time as well as daytime. The numbers increased by 12% for night time deaths, while day time fatalities increased by 1.4 percent. The number of pedestrian accident deaths increased by 3.9 %, while bicyclist deaths increased by 9.2%. In the same year, motorcycle accident fatalities increased by a significant 11%.
The traffic accident fatality data for 2020 has no good news for traffic safety advocates. There is much that needs to be done to reverse these worrisome statistics.
The Atlanta car accident lawyers at the Katz Personal Injury Lawyers represent persons who have been injured as a result of car accidents in the metro Atlanta region and across Georgia. If you or a loved one have suffered injuries in a car accident, talk to a lawyer at our firm and determine if you have legal options to a claim for damages.