The country is in the process of opening back up, which means that more people are getting behind the wheel again. Those who ventured out to the grocery store or to buy other necessities likely noticed that the roads were emptier, but there was a much higher rate of reckless driving. In Indiana, police here clocked drivers going over 100 miles per hour, and one driver in Gary was tagged for going 145 mph on a road with a posted speed limit of 55 mph. The driver was also impaired, with a blood-alcohol level of .13%, and arrested for OWI.
Reports reveal that drivers on the road during this unprecedented time see empty roads and drivers with no concern for safety or the rules of the road. States around the country have reported an uptick in the number of speeding tickets issued despite fewer vehicles. Others are seeing fewer crashes, but the incidents are more serious. Some noteworthy evidence around the country includes:
- Road fatalities doubled in Minnesota from the previous year at the same time.
- Pedestrian death rates rose in Nevada and Rhode Island.
- Road fatalities rose in Massachusetts.
- Law enforcement caught a Michigan man driving 180 mph on I-75 just before midnight on April 19.
According to a statement from the Governor’s Highway Safety Agency’s executive director Jonathan Adkins, “While COVID-19 is clearly our national priority, our traffic safety laws cannot be ignored. Law enforcement officials have the same mission as health care providers — to save lives.”
Victims and families can take action
Unfortunately, reckless behavior can lead to the death or serious injury of innocent victims. Those who cause crashes and injuries can be held accountable by victims and their families with help from a knowledgeable personal injury attorney with experience handling motor vehicle crashes. These legal professionals can often recover damages for lost income, property damage, and other expenses related to the crash.
