Speeding Up During Coronavirus

Coronavirus has kept people in their homes and off the roads. Since the COVID-19 induced quarantine, “The New York Times” reports traffic levels have dropped more than 90 percent in some major cities, and at least 50 percent nearly everywhere. With fewer cars on the roads, some positive consequences have included:

  • Faster commute times
  • Less accidents, injuries and deaths
  • Decreased congestion 
  • Fewer emissions

The open roads and vacant highways, however, have become a temptation for speeding. In California, there has been a spike in speeding tickets for driving more than 100 miles per hour, and the number of those tickets issued grew in inverse proportion to the number of cars on the road. The High Patrol wrote 543 citations over 10 days in March. As the number of cars on the road decreased, the number of tickets issued simultaneously increased. Similar speeding trends are happening in other parts of the country as well. In New York City, traffic reportedly dropped 71 percent in mid-March. During that time, speed cameras caught 12 percent more infractions than during a comparable period in January. In Portland, the average number of people caught driving more than 30 miles per hour over the limit back in February was in the single digits. Today, it is around 30. 

Street racing has also come up as a growing concern recently, even internationally. Two motorcyclists in Portland were caught street racing, both clocked at 132 mph. In Singapore last week, more 50 cars and 57 people were caught street racing before police intervened. Authorities say many drivers pulled over for excessive speeding these days explain that they are distracted by the coronavirus outbreak and the economy. Other drivers seem to be under the impression that normal rules do not apply. Law enforcement agencies have admitted that they had been more lenient with minor infractions, like lower-level speeding or missing registrations, in an effort to reduce face-to-face interactions and limit the spread of the virus. Police, however, continue to prioritize public safety and are still issuing tickets. If you or a family member are injured or hurt in an accident during the coronavirus pandemic, a personal injury lawyer can help protect your rights and proceed to pursue your claims for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering. A personal injury lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona will help you understand the settlement and litigation processes. There should be no fees unless a settlement is obtained.

 


 

Thanks to the Law Office of Paul Englander, PLC for their insight into personal injury claims and car accident injuries during the coronavirus pandemic.