– Traffic fatalities remain high despite less overall driving
– Fatalities have surged by 18%
– Lawmakers are considering enforcing stricter regulations
Mysterious Surge in Missouri’s Road Tragedies
Despite a notable decrease in the total volume of driving, Missouri and other states across the U.S. are witnessing an unnerving surge in traffic fatalities. Rather counterintuitively, fewer miles are being driven when compared to figures from 2019, yet more lives are being lost on our highways and backroads.
The Data Behind the Dismay
The state’s lawmakers are scratching their heads at the paradox, given the 18% spike in traffic fatalities. This unsettling surge is prompting these concerned policymakers to comb through the state’s large data analytics in search of potential factors behind these mysterious misfortunes.
Preventive Measures On The Table
Clearly determined to reverse this alarming trend, lawmakers are leaving no stone unturned with potential solution discussions including a possible increase in police patrols or the installation of automated speed monitoring devices, such as speed cameras. These measures, they hope, will deter reckless driving and put the state on the road to reducing these tragic and preventable losses of life.
The Breezy Take
While it’s baffling to see a surge in traffic deaths amid a pandemic that has considerably reduced our commuting patterns, as Mark Twain once quipped, “facts are stubborn, but statistics are more pliable.” It’s clear that the solution isn’t a simple one – but with the potential integration of increased police presence and automated monitoring technologies, Missouri is gearing up to tackle this alarming issue head-on. Let’s buckle up and hope for safer travels ahead.
Original article: https://missouriindependent.com/2023/11/11/less-driving-but-more-deaths-spike-in-traffic-fatalities-puzzles-lawmakers/