are car accidents increasing

[StIvan]

Based on the most recent data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), car accidents and traffic fatalities saw a slight decrease in 2023 after a significant spike in previous years. However, accident rates remain substantially higher than pre-pandemic levels. The core issue is not a simple "yes" or "no" but a complex story of a dangerous post-pandemic trend that is only now beginning to show signs of improvement.

The peak of the crisis was in 2021 and 2022. NHTSA data estimated that 42,514 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2022. This was a slight dip from 2021's 42,939 fatalities but still represented a dramatic increase from the 39,007 fatalities recorded in 2020. The preliminary estimate for 2023 is approximately 40,990 fatalities, indicating a welcome decline of about 3.6%.

Several key factors contributed to the alarming increase:

• Riskier Driving Behaviors: With less traffic on the roads during lockdowns, some drivers engaged in more dangerous activities, including speeding, impaired driving, and a failure to use seat belts. These habits persisted even as traffic volumes returned to normal.
• Distracted Driving: The problem of smartphone use while driving continues to be a major contributor to accidents.
• Increased Pedestrian and Cyclist Fatalities: A troubling part of the trend has been a sharp rise in fatalities among vulnerable road users.

The following table summarizes the recent fatality trends from the NHTSA:

Year	Estimated Traffic Fatalities	Percentage Change from Previous Year	Key Context
2020	39,007	+6.8%	Pandemic lockdowns; less traffic but riskier driving
2021	42,939	+10.1%	Peak of the post-pandemic surge in dangerous driving
2022	42,514	-1.0%	Slight decrease, but rates remained critically high
2023	40,990 (Preliminary)	-3.6%	First meaningful sign of improvement

So, while the short-term trend from 2022 to 2023 is positive, the broader picture shows that we are still dealing with a much more dangerous driving environment compared to just five years ago. The focus for safety advocates is on sustaining this downward trend through improved enforcement and public awareness.

[LaEmilia]

From what I see on the news and my own commute, it feels like it. But the official numbers say things got a tiny bit better last year. The real story is that driving got way more dangerous after the pandemic hit. People were speeding like crazy on empty roads and never really stopped. Even with the recent small drop, we're still losing far too many people compared to before 2020. It's a step in the right direction, but we've got a long way to go to get back to normal safety levels.

[SavannahRose]

It's a mixed bag. The encouraging news is that after a sharp rise, early data for 2023 shows a decrease in fatalities. The discouraging part is that the baseline is now much higher. The problem shifted from the number of cars on the road to the behavior of the drivers in them. Issues like excessive speed and distraction became more normalized. So, while the year-over-year increase may have stopped, the overall risk per mile driven is still elevated compared to the pre-pandemic era.