California Traffic Accidents Down
A recent article on The Hill website has some interesting data regarding traffic accidents (LINK) in California. It may come as no surprise that during this time of stay-at-home orders throughout the state (and nation) and with less cars on the road that accident numbers have decreased.
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Citing a study done by the University of California Davis , the data show that accidents on California roads have decreased by about half compared to data prior to the statewide shutdown which began on March 19, 2020. The previous numbers were about 1000 collisions and around 400 accident injuries and fatalities.
The new numbers show around 500 collisions and 200 injuries/fatalities. Researchers used data from a number of California highways including Interstates 5 and 405 which run through Orange County, as well as State Routes 22, 55, 57 and 91.
The Hidden Danger of Decreased Orange County Traffic
While the decrease in accidents and injuries is a positive, the flipside to this equation is that with fewer cars on the roads more people are driving faster or more recklessly. At faster speeds, reaction times are less, leading to the potential for more collisions. Also, at faster speeds, collisions will obviously have greater impacts which can lead to a greater injury or fatality rate per incident.
As the Streetsblog website (LINK) points out, in Massachusetts the rate of crashes and deaths more than doubled in the period from March to early April of this year compared to the data from last year.
If these statistics hold true for other areas of the county, including our heavily populated Orange County, we may find that the number of car crashes and motor vehicle-caused fatalities is also on the increase.
It goes without saying that it pays to be cautious at all times when behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. Perhaps in these times of shelter-in-place more caution is justified. Fewer cars does not necessarily mean less severe accidents. The pain and suffering resulting from any accident is something we all should avoid.
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle collision in Orange County the first step to compensation is to call Kyle Scott Law in Tustin at 714-544-1460. If you are hurt, we can help!