Being on roads is getting a lot more deadly in New Hampshire.
The number of people killed in traffic crashes in the state has risen 29% this year compared to the same period last year, according to State Police. Fatalities through Sept. 6 increased among drivers and occupants of vehicles (65 deaths compared to 51 last year) as well as motorcyclists (23 deaths compared to 17) and pedestrians (7 deaths compared to 5) and bicyclists (2 deaths compared to none at this time last year).
This increase continues a pattern of rising deaths due to vehicle crashes seen in New Hampshire since the pandemic ended. In 2021, 118 people were killed on state roads, compared to 104 in 2020 and 99 in 2019.
New Hampshire is not alone. The number of traffic-related deaths in the U.S. has soared since the pandemic began, ending a long trend of declining numbers of traffic fatalities. Nearly 43,000 people were killed on U.S. roads in 2021, the highest number in 16 years.
According to QuoteWizard, an insurance website, the spike in traffic deaths this year was even worse in Vermont, where they have risen 40% in the first half of the year, and Maine, where they soared 52%.
Various explanations are offered for this increase, including more speeding and reckless driving after the pandemic changes people’s habits. Larger vehicles, especially pickup trucks and SUVs, contribute as well: For example, a study from the University of Illinois found that children are eight times as likely to die if hit by an SUV rather than a sedan.
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The deaths are just the tip of a big iceberg. People are suddenly driving way, way over the speed limit, passing on double lines, tailgating within inches of my bumper, even forcing me off the road. And I’m not going slow! Its a huge change. I don’t think it is the pandemic, I think it is a certain politician telling the world that regulations are invalid and we are all empowered to do just what we want. I recall politicians and their supporters saying that there shouldn’t be speed limits because everyone will find their own safe speed. Now we’ve got it.
I believe you are right, Sandy. Many people now have these self-entitled attitudes that they feel allows them to ignore simple, common-sense traffic rules and regulations.
Two examples I’ve seen many times over the last couple of years or so–and I guess there are a number of factors contributing to these phenomena–are1. Drivers barely slowing down, or not even slowing down at all, when approaching a stop-sign. They pass the stop-sign moving at, or above, the speed limit. I have also seen more drivers going straight through red lights. 2. For years I have seen many people holding and operating cell phones while driving. In a few of those times, the drivers did not notice that I was there, either walking or in my car.
There’s a new one I’ve seen twice this week. Cars going fast with flashing light bars on their roofs. But these are not police cars (not a police license plate), or fire depts (no volunteer department markers and only the one car), no sirens. I pull over, but I think I’ve been duped.