Coronavirus has opened up American roadways. Rush hour traffic has become nearly extinct and commute times have become faster than ever. As a result of fewer cars on the road, more and more drivers are putting the pedal to the metal, and traveling at dangerous speeds. Since the pandemic, law enforcement agencies across the county are reporting a “severe spike in speeding” according the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA).

The increase in speeding is of course largely attributed to the overall decline in traffic associated with the COVID-19 stay-at-home orders and more people working remotely. For the first time ever in March, congestion disappeared across American roadways, according to traffic analytics firm INRIX. When traffic cleared, however, drivers took advantage and sped up. 

In cities like Chicago and Los Angeles, drivers are hitting speeds nearly 75% higher than before the pandemic as congestion has been nearly eliminated. In New York City, automated speeding cameras issued 24,765 tickets across the city on March 27, which is double the daily amount of tickets issued a month earlier.

Emptier city streets and rural highways have also resulted in a “significant surge” in reports of drivers reaching speeds of 100 mph or more. In Iowa, State Patrol cited nearly 170 people for driving over 100 mph in the last month. In Sandy Springs, Georgia, police officers clocked a motorcyclist zooming at 172 mph. Law enforcement agencies have admitted that they had been more lenient with minor infractions to limit face-to-face interactions during the pandemic, but will still issue tickets to offenders who threaten public safety.

The recent speeding trend has some officials fearing a spike in speeding-related deaths. Preliminary data suggest that extreme speeding could mean more vehicular deaths, even with fewer drivers on the road. For instance in Minnesota, deaths from car crashes have doubled since the state issued its stay-at-home order last month, from 13 during the same period 2019 then to 28 now. Half of those deaths were the result of speeding-related crashes.

In 2018, more than 9,300 people died in speeding-related accidents according to the National Safety Council.

Speeding related injuries are especially taxing on the healthcare system at this time as many emergency rooms are already at capacity caring for coronavirus victims. If you or a loved one is injured in a speeding related accident, you should consider consulting with a personal injury lawyer in Phoenix, AZ to discuss claims for damages. The consultation should be free, there should be no fess unless a settlement is obtained.

Thanks to the Law Office of Paul Englander, PLC for their insight into personal injury claims and accidents involving speeding.