The number of fatal crashes in Ohio and the rest of the U.S. has increased. The total figure for people who died in crashes in 2021 has been set at 42,915. This figure is a spike of 10.5% up from 2020.
Traffic deaths are the highest in years
The National Highway Traffic Safety Association recorded the highest number of fatal motor vehicle accidents since they began doing so in 1975. More people than ever are engaging in unsafe driving practices. These include speeding, changing lanes without signaling, tailgating, and not wearing seat belts.
The number of deaths caused by driving while intoxicated or distracted has also increased. Drivers in almost every state in the U.S. have been affected by these trends. Of all 50 states, only 6 have reported no increase or an actual decrease in the number of total deaths. For the rest, the grim stats continue to pour in.
The rise in deaths affects all age groups
The recent surge in the number of fatal road crashes was not limited to any one group of drivers. For example, speeding was cited as the major cause of fatal crashes for teen drivers. The total number of deaths among people of this age group increased by a total of 6%.
At the same time, the number of fatal crashes for drivers aged 35 to 44 rose by 15%. Common causes, such as driving while distracted by cell phones, were listed in conjunction with this group.
Drivers aged 65 and older also saw a significant rise of 16% in their number of fatal traffic crashes. Speeding, illegal lane changing, and driving at night were common causes.
