In 2020, the number of vehicles on the road in Missouri dropped sharply compared to previous years. With fewer drivers on the road, it might seem safe to assume that fewer people have been pulled over for speeding. However, new research has shown that people are actually speeding now more than ever. And with more speeding comes an increased risk of fatal accidents.
What are the statistics for speeding in 2020?
Research has shown that the average person in the U.S. drove 16% less in 2020 than he or she did in 2019. When people did leave the house, it was typically for important reasons like going to work or picking up supplies at the grocery store. Unfortunately, spending less time on the road didn’t make it less likely for people to speed. In fact, seeing fewer cars on the road made people more likely to speed because they assumed there was a smaller risk of getting in an MVA, or motor vehicle accident.
Research has shown that the amount of speeding on the road increased by 12% in 2020. The study defined “speeding” as driving 80 miles per hour or more. Distracted driving also increased by 9%, signifying that people assumed that they were less likely to get in accidents.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t the case. Despite having fewer vehicles on the road, the number of car accidents rose by 10% in 2020. The number of emergency vehicles dispatched each month increased by 8%, indicating an increased frequency of severe injuries. Overall, this research shows that the roads were actually more dangerous in 2020 than they were in 2019.
What does this mean for you?
Right now, it’s hard to say if these trends will continue in 2021. To stay safe on the road, you should always stay focused and abide by the speed limits. Use defensive driving techniques if you find yourself in a bad situation with an unsafe driver. You can’t control what everyone on the road does, but you can control how you react to it. And if you do get involved in an accident, contact an attorney.
