Traffic Stops Down, Fatalities Up: Road Safety Post-Pandemic

Traffic stops are down while traffic-related fatalities are up compared to pre-pandemic levels, according to a New York Times article. The number of cars on the road plummeted during the Covid pandemic. Many people were working from home, children were staying home from school, or otherwise remaining at home. Given fewer cars on the road, traffic stops and citations naturally decreased across the country. According to Florida Highway Patrol data, this occurred in Florida as well.

However, more cars are now back on the road. Traffic-related fatalities are higher than before the pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns. Despite this rebound, traffic enforcement in many cities and states, including Florida, has not recovered to pre-pandemic levels. It has not kept pace with the increase in traffic since the lockdowns ended. More people returned to the office and started leaving their homes more frequently. The fewer traffic stops and the decreased police presence on the nation’s roads are concerning. It removes one of the few barriers to unsafe driving, which causes thousands of fatalities on our roads every year.

A Longer-Term Trend in Traffic Stops

Some experts believe the data in the New York Times study reinforces a long-term trend. Police are spending fewer resources on traffic enforcement. They are concentrating on other aspects of their public safety responsibilities. Some cities and states have increased the use of traffic cameras to automate enforcement. Many have also experienced budget cuts to state and local police departments, resulting in fewer officers and resources for traffic enforcement.

However, the flip side of this decreased focus on traffic safety by state and local police is the removal of one of the few checks that ensure drivers operate their vehicles safely. This reduces opportunities to pull over or ticket motorists who drive negligently or unsafely. As a result, these drivers can continue their unsafe habits and potentially injure someone.

Contact Schwed, Adams & McGinley

At Schwed, Adams & McGinley, our experienced personal injury attorneys have decades of legal experience representing those injured in motor vehicle accidents and other scenarios involving personal injuries. If you or one of your loved ones has been injured in a motor vehicle accident in Florida, you may be entitled to substantial damages. Therefore, if you or a loved one has been injured by someone else’s negligence, contact our experienced personal injury attorneys today at contact@schwedlaw.com or (877) 694-6079.