America's roads have always been a significant source of danger for drivers, with accidents claiming thousands of lives each year. However, recent data suggests that the situation is getting worse. One major factor contributing to this increase in danger is the fact that police are pulling over fewer drivers, which is having a cascading effect on driver behavior and safety.
According to a recent report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), traffic fatalities rose by 7.2% in 2020, despite the fact that overall traffic volume decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase in fatalities is the largest year-over-year increase in over a decade. Meanwhile, a separate report by the Governors Highway Safety Association found that pedestrian deaths rose by 21% in the first six months of 2020, even as overall traffic volume decreased.
So what's driving this increase in danger on America's roads? One significant factor is the fact that police are pulling over fewer drivers. According to a recent report by USA Today, traffic stops fell by as much as 90% in some cities during the early months of the pandemic, and have only partially recovered since then. This decline in traffic stops has created a situation where drivers feel emboldened to take more risks on the road, knowing that they are less likely to be caught and penalized for their behavior.
In addition to emboldening dangerous drivers, the decline in traffic stops has also led to a decline in the enforcement of traffic laws more broadly. This includes not just speeding and reckless driving, but also more mundane violations like failing to wear a seatbelt or using a phone while driving. With police departments stretched thin due to the pandemic and other factors, enforcing these laws has become less of a priority, even as drivers continue to flout them.
So what can be done to reverse this trend and make America's roads safer again? One possible solution is to invest more resources in traffic enforcement. This could involve hiring more police officers, implementing new technologies like automated speed cameras, or simply dedicating more resources to enforcing existing traffic laws. Another possible solution is to focus on educating drivers about the dangers of reckless driving and other unsafe behaviors, in order to create a culture of safety on the roads.
Ultimately, the solution to America's dangerous roads will likely require a multifaceted approach that involves not just traffic enforcement, but also changes to infrastructure, vehicle safety standards, and more. However, one thing is clear: if we continue on our current path of decreasing traffic stops and enforcement, the situation will only continue to get worse. It's time for all of us to take action to make America's roads safer for everyone.