Although businesses across the nation — and in New York State, in particular — have begun the reopening process, Rochester’s busiest streets have still been relatively quiet throughout the pandemic. But when crashes happen, they seem to be having more serious effects on those involved.
During the 2018-2019 flu season, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that there were anywhere from 17.3 million to 20.1 million flu-related medical visits. But while we have a vaccine for influenza, we still have yet to have one developed for COVID-19. That, coupled with the still-unknown effects of the disease and its highly contagious nature, caused most states to effectively shut down for the past few months.
As a result, U.S. highways have become considerably less congested. Bumper-to-bumper rush hour traffic has transformed into relatively clear roadways at almost any time of day. Even in the notoriously busy New York City area, accidents during the pandemic fell to impressive lows. The New York Department of Motor Vehicles reported that, while there are normally around 5,546 accidents that take place each month in the Big Apple, only 4,037 crashes occurred in April 2020 — representing a 27.21% reduction in accidents there overall.
With more people staying home and off the roads, it makes sense that fewer collisions would occur. But the data shows a surprising trend: fewer drivers may be out and about, but deadly car crashes are reportedly on the rise nationwide.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, law enforcement and traffic agencies in Minnesota and Louisiana recorded more traffic-related fatalities during the pandemic than during the same periods of previous years. Strangely, officials in Missouri have noted that even though total crash deaths have declined during this time, fatality rates related to traffic accidents have increased.
The likely reason? Speed. Although roads in the nation’s 10 biggest metro areas have clared out, vehicles are traveling much faster — especially during morning and evening rush hours. That’s backed up by state highway patrols, like the one in California, writing an excessive amount of speeding tickets in areas that would normally be backed up. The average speed in the Los Angeles area during the 5 pm hour increased from 39 miles per hour to 61 miles per hour on many limited-access roads and highways. And while traffic fatalities there haven’t increased, roughly 2,500 speeding tickets were given out to drivers pulled over for traveling at over 100 miles per hour during the state’s stay-ay-home order.
It’s not just those in densely populated areas who need to be worried. According to the Governors Highway Safety Association, more drivers are traveling in excess of 100-mile-per-hour speeds in Colorado, Indiana, Nebraska, and New York. What’s more, drivers are traveling at unsafe speeds in residential neighborhoods — sometimes 20 to 40 miles faster than local speed limits. Since 1.25 million people die in road crashes every year worldwide, it’s no wonder that many people are concerned.
Many Rochesterians have already experienced the horrific effects of dangerous road accidents during the pandemic. A recent crash in Webster involving four family members walking along Empire Boulevard — an event which resulted in the death of a mother and injuries involving her two children and grandchild — serves as a cautionary tale that COVID-19 isn’t the only health concern to be worried about during this time. Since the accident, the driver responsible has been taken into custody and residents have called for changes to improve the safety of pedestrians. But with more people walking — whether due to the pleasant weather, the need for physical exercise, or the desire to have something with which to occupy themselves — there’s a question as to whether U.S. pedestrians really know how to navigate traversing near major roadways.
That said, driving can be inherently dangerous for those behind the wheel, as well. Not only can accidents easily occur on vacant streets, but cars also have 17,000 times the amount of bacteria you’d find in your home. Ultimately, it may be better to follow the advice we’re hearing from the state to stay safe: unless you have to leave the house, you should continue to stay home as much as possible.
