Even though the state has taken measures to keep people safe from COVID-19 by limiting time spent around others and crowded spaces, which has decreased the traffic volume on the roads, Arkansas’ traffic fatalities have largely increased in June 2020. In fact, the traffic fatalities from the first six months of this year are 16% higher than the first six months of 2019.
In June alone, there were 72 traffic fatalities in Arkansas. Compared to the six-month total of 282, that’s around 25% of the deaths that were accumulated in one month. This makes June 2020 the deadliest month for traffic since 2008, even though there’s been less traffic on the roads since the coronavirus outbreak.
The Arkansas Department of Transportation reports traffic decreases of around 30% in some areas, and up to 70% in others. Although the traffic may have lessened, fatalities have gone up from drivers speeding and driving more recklessly on the more open roads.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Arkansas is the sixth highest state for traffic fatalities. If the state’s car accidents and fatalities continue to follow the same trend in the back half of 2020, then that ranking could increase, seeing as how this has already been a devastating year in traffic deaths.
As the state begins to reopen, traffic volume is bound to increase, which in turn could cause traffic fatalities to continue to rise because the potential for more crashes would increase. Arkansas State Police reported that they have seen fewer traffic accidents this year compared to the same time last year, which makes the increase in fatalities even more serious.
Arkansas drivers who are returning to the roads after months at home or continuing to drive after months of more open roads need to be cautious and drive as carefully as possible in order to prevent car accidents as best as they can. If drivers are careful in the new volume of traffic that they aren’t accustomed to anymore, then this could help prevent the traffic fatality rate from continuing to rise at the alarming rate shown in these first six months of 2020.
McMath Woods P.A. Can Represent You
Car accidents can leave you with injuries and damages, and in the worst-case scenario, could even kill you or your loved ones. It may feel like a complicated and time-consuming task to file a car accident claim against the driver responsible for the damaging collision, but we can help you through the process and make it as easy as possible. A lawyer from McMath Woods P.A. can guide you through your claim and ensure that you get full and fair compensation for your damages. Reach out today so that we can discuss your potential case.
