Surge In Deadly Traffic Crashes During Pandemic – CBS Miami

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The number of Americans killed in U.S. traffic collisions surged during the pandemic

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association, almost 32-thousand people died in vehicle crashes in the first nine months of 2021, the highest figure since 2006.

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The agency said the surge in traffic deaths began in the summer of 2020.

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In Florida in 2021, the state saw 304 fatalities, 169 were pedestrians and 45 were bicyclists. There was also nearly 16-thousand more hit and runs in 2021 than the year before.

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles reported the number of hit-and-run accidents in 2021 went up by 17% compared to 2020.

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Last month, Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced the National Roadway Safety Strategy. The plan includes reaching a long-term goal of zero traffic deaths by promoting safer speeds and expanding the availability of safety features in vehicles.