Jump in traffic on U.S. roads is likely in the second half of 2021:
- Reason #1: Americans normally hit the roads again as summer rolls around after driving the fewest number of miles during the winter months, according to AAA.
- Reason #2: Add in pent-up demand to travel and see friends and family as COVID-19 vaccines roll out across the country.
More miles behind the wheel means more chances to drive distracted, the focus of national Distracted Driving Awareness Month this April. Learn how you can prevent distracted driving and save a life, maybe even your own!
Distracted Driving Deaths Increase During Pandemic
Traffic levels right now are the lowest in decades with millions of Americans staying close to home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, more people are walking and biking to get out of the house and take advantage of less congestion. All good, except that some drivers see empty roads and highways as an invitation to speed or drive distracted.
Data from the National Safety Council shows that even though 2020 saw a 13 percent decrease in road traffic, the estimated rate of death on the roads last year spiked by 24 percent. This increase is the highest year-to-year jump since 1924.
