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National study shows drivers have become more reckless since pandemic began

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Published  October 30, 2021 12:57am CDT
Road Rage
FOX 26 Houston

Traffic deaths increasing since pandemic began, study says

FOX 26 Reporter Randy Wallace has more on the study saying traffic deaths are increasing since the pandemic began.

HOUSTON - If you think drivers have become more reckless since the pandemic began, you're right.

According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in just the first six months of this year, traffic deaths across the country soared almost 19%. That’s the largest increase in a six month period since 2006.

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"Folks are taking chances. They are texting and driving, they are driving at a high rate of speed," said Danny Perez with the Texas Department of Transportation.

It seems the pandemic has turned some Americans into dangerous drivers with little or no concern for others on the roadway.

"Impaired driving distracted, driving drowsy, driving thinking about the impact you could have not only on yourself but your family and friends. And, of course, all those other road users, their family, and friends as well," said Joshua Zuber, AAA spokesman.

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According to the NHTSA study, even though Americans drove less in 2020 due to the pandemic, 36,680 people died in traffic crashes. That’s a 7.2% increase compared to 2019. It’s also the highest number of traffic deaths in 13 years.

Last year, 963 people died in alcohol-related crashes here in the alone Star State.

"They may have done it many times, gotten behind the wheel, and thought I’ve done it, I can do it today," Perez said. "But it might be that one time where you cause a major crash and somebody gets really hurt or somebody dies."

The NHTSA study says the number of drivers speeding and not wearing seatbelts is higher than during pre-pandemic times.

"The faster you’re going at the time of the crash the greater your chances of experiencing severe injury or even dying," said Zuber.

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Road rage incidents are also on the rise.

"They’re driving unsafely they do something that might upset another driver then they get into a situation where it escalates very fast," Perez said.