Despite fewer drivers on the road due to the COVID-19 pandemic, motor vehicle crashes on Maryland roadways claimed 569 lives in 2020, an increase of 6.4% compared to 535 deaths the previous year. Preliminary data released today by the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) also shows an increase in pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities, from 124 and 10 in 2019 to 134 and 14 in 2020, respectively. Overall crashes and serious injuries decreased, but crashes in 2020 were more severe, contributing to the rise in roadway fatalities. The total number of fatalities was the highest in Maryland since 2008, when the state experienced 592 highway deaths. “Not only did Maryland tragically lose thousands of lives in 2020 to COVID-19, but we lost an additional 569 lives from motor vehicle crashes,” MDOT Secretary Greg Slater said. “These losses are unnecessary and unacceptable. They represent men, women and children whose lives were cut short way too soon – our family members, friends, neighbors and coworkers. Simple actions such as slowing down, driving sober, putting the phone down and wearing a seat belt could have prevented these tragedies.” Average vehicle traffic volumes in Maryland dropped more than 50% in April 2020 compared to 2019 […]
The post Despite Lower Travel Volumes During Pandemic, Motor Vehicle Fatalities Increase 6.4% in 2020 appeared first on Southern Maryland News Net.
Source: https://smnewsnet.comNew feed
Be First to Comment