ALLENTOWN, Pa. - Recent federal data shows driving fatalities have gone up during the pandemic.
Even though fewer Americans drove in 2020, more people died while on the road, according to Theresa Podguski, director of Legislative Affairs for AAA East Central.
“The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that an estimated 38,680 people died in crashes, which is an increase of 7.2% in the largest number of fatalities since 2007,” she said. “The numbers for 2021 look even worse than those.”
Motorists need to practice safe habits behind the wheel, like putting down cell phones, not driving when you’re drowsy, and being tolerant and forgiving of other drivers, Podguski said.
Taking your eyes off the road for just two seconds, she said, doubles the chances of being involved in a collision.