North Carolinians drove far less during the pandemic. So why did fatal crashes go up?
Ames Alexander – The News & Observer
Jan 13, 2021
The numbers seem to defy common sense: Although North Carolinians drove fewer miles during the pandemic, the death toll on the state’s highways climbed to more than 1,500 — the highest number in 13 years.
In 2020 — a year of stay-at-home orders, curfews and widespread work from home — the number of miles driven dropped 19% but the number of fatal crashes rose 8% over the previous year, North Carolina Department of Transportation data show.
“The spike in traffic fatalities is a public health crisis,” said Mark Ezzell, director of the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program.
COVID-19 helped drive the increase, experts believe. Many drivers, taking advantage of less-crowded highways, are speeding more. Others are more distracted.
“We know when people are ill, fatigued or distressed, they may be more likely to crash,” said Libby Thomas, senior research associate for the UNC Highway
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