Advanced technology and safety initiatives were meant to reduce the number of auto accidents in Connecticut and across the nation. However, driver behaviors are hard to change. In recent years, there has been an increase in drivers behaving recklessly and exceeding the speed limits in the state.
This has led to lawmakers and law enforcement moving forward with various strategies to address it. Still, these endeavors take time to show results. With the number of drivers violating the law in these and other ways, people need to be cautious. If they are involved in a crash, they must also be aware of how to confront the challenges they will face in the aftermath.
Connecticut road deaths have risen significantly
According to the most recent statistics in the state, there was a notable increase in road deaths between 2019 and 2022. This occurred simultaneously to law enforcement stopping fewer vehicles for violations. In 2019, there were 255 fatalities; in 2022 – the worst year for road deaths in state history – there were 366.
State Police representatives have said they plan on more vigilant enforcement to try and prevent collisions due to bad driver behavior. Drivers began taking liberties with the law during the health crisis because the roads were empty and law enforcement resources were limited. However, once society returned to some semblance of normalcy, the recklessness and other transgressions continued.
In one-third of the road fatalities, speeding and drivers who were under the influence was a factor. The rate of fatalities in the U.S. between 2020 and 2021 increased. In 2020, a person lost their life in a crash every 45 minutes. The next year, it was every 39 minutes.
Connecticut is considering lowering the limit for drivers to be considered under the influence of alcohol from 0.08% to 0.05%. After expanded enforcement began, it resulted in 312 DUI arrests for the first two months of 2024. During one week in March, 230 drivers on one road were cited for various infractions.
People should be cognizant of road dangers and know their rights
Since the crackdown is in its early stages, it is too early to determine how effective it is. Still, given the number of accidents and the driver behaviors behind them, it is a reasonable first step to try and tamp down on speeding, recklessness, DUI and more.
Regardless, people who have been in an auto accident and were injured or lost a loved one need to know their rights. Medical costs, lost wages, long-term care, property damage and other issues will come to the forefront. Knowing what legal remedies are available to make a full recovery in every way is vital.