Pandemic Leads to Fewer Crashes, Increased Speeds in San Antonio
Sitting at the intersection of I-35, I-10, and I-37, San Antonio and the surrounding areas typically experience a high amount of traffic on a regular basis, and with it, a high number of car accidents. However, 2020 has been anything but typical, with the COVID-19 pandemic influencing virtually every aspect of life. A recent study by INRIX, a traffic analytics firm, looked at the effects of the pandemic on traffic patterns throughout the United States, and the findings have important implications for drivers in the San Antonio area.
A Decline in Traffic and Accidents
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in less road travel overall, both due to stay-at-home orders discouraging unnecessary trips and the increased prevalence of working from home reducing the amount of commuter traffic. The INRIX study found that vehicle miles traveled in San Antonio decreased by around 33 percent from March to June 2020, and 22 percent from July to October 2020.
Along with this decrease in traffic, San Antonio also experienced a significant decrease in car accidents. Since the start of the pandemic, there has been a 33 percent decrease in car crashes in the area, the fifth-largest decrease among U.S. metropolitan areas. Locations that usually see an especially high number of accidents, including Loop 410 and the downtown connecting point between I-35 and I-37, have been part of this decline.
An Increase in Driving Speed
While fewer collisions are certainly a good sign for San Antonio drivers, they are not totally in the clear. The study also found that the average driving speed has increased in San Antonio during the pandemic, by as much as 26 percent near the beginning of the pandemic, and still by more than 10 percent. The researchers acknowledge that part of this increase is due to fewer traffic jams that slow the flow, but it also likely includes drivers taking advantage of the decreased traffic to travel at unsafe speeds.
High-speed accidents can be especially dangerous, and often fatal. If you are traveling around San Antonio, you should stay alert for speeding drivers, and if you or a loved one is injured in an accident, you should seek medical attention and work with an attorney to hold the negligent driver accountable and recover compensation for your damages.
Contact a New Braunfels Personal Injury Attorney
At The Bettersworth Law Firm, we are working hard to adapt to the changing realities of the pandemic, and we remain committed to helping you pursue compensation if you have been injured in a car wreck. For a free consultation with an experienced New Braunfels, TX car accident lawyer, call 830-443-9193 today.
Source:
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2020/12/11/car-crashes-in-san-antonio-plummet-during-pandemic-data-shows/
