CoVid partially to blame!
Most everything has an insurance connection. This headline certainly does!
I have been reading/hearing and seeing insurance companies bring forward data that the death rate is affecting auto and liability insurance premiums. The increase is pretty mind-boggling. The numbers from US regulators indicate the highest number killed on American roads in a single-year since 2005.
The yearly increase is the highest reported since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began using its current traffic fatality tracking system in 1975.
“We face a crisis on America’s roadways that we must address together,” said U.S. Transportation (USDOT) Secretary Pete Buttigieg said.
In January, USDOT released a strategy designed to cut the soaring number of traffic deaths on American roads.
Traffic deaths surged after coronavirus lockdowns ended in 2020 as more drivers engaged in unsafe behavior like speeding and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Traffic deaths in 2020 rose 6.8% and up 18% over pre-pandemic 2019 levels.
Forty four U.S. states and the District of Columbia all are projected to have an increase in traffic deaths.
NHTSA said the fatality rate in 2021 fell slightly to 1.33 fatalities per 100 million miles traveled down from 1.34 million in 2020, which was the highest rate since 2007.
One factor for the big jump in 2020 was that drivers who remained on the roads engaged in riskier behavior, NHTSA said.
As U.S. roads became less crowded, some motorists perceived police were less likely to issue tickets because of COVID-19, experts say.
There is so much that goes into insurance rates including liability and protection coverages. Whether you are a victim of an accident or someone that causes one, it is our hope that drivers on our roads will IMPROVE in being safe for each of us.
We’re ready to serve YOU! If you have an insurance need or want to make sure YOUR insurance is most competitive, let us help! TEXT or CALL us at 615.377.1212. EMAIL us at INFO@BentonWhite.net or visit our website at www.BentonWhite.com for a wealth of helpful information – 24/7.
THANKS for the privilege we have in serving you, our customer. If you’re not one of our customers yet, come on over – we’ll treat you like we want to be treated!
Stay safe in your corner of this world!
Portions of this article come with the Copyright 2022 from Reuters.
