To understand the need for changes to driving laws and to understand trends in collisions, the University of Connecticut tracks data about motor vehicle crashes each year. This collection of information, called the Connecticut Crash Data Repository, helps provide an oversight of trends in collisions.
They look at many kinds of data about individual crashes, such as date, time, kind of collision, injuries, fatalities and more. This information helps guide public policy. It also makes it unnervingly clear that crashes seem to be on the rise, particularly fatal accidents. This could mean that your risk of a serious collision is also on the rise if you drive or ride in a vehicle in Connecticut.
Nearly 300 people died on Connecticut roads last year
The preliminary year-end data for 2017 indicates that roughly 285 people died in collisions last year. That is up just slightly from 281 deaths due to crashes in 2016. The 2016 figures represent a more than 10 percent increase from the 253 deaths in 2015, which was substantially higher than the 234 deaths in 2014, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
There will always be some fluctuation and variation in vehicle-related deaths. One year could produce much worse inclement weather. The release of a popular movie glorifying street racing could lead to dangerous driving by more people. However, overall, it looks like the numbers of fatal crashes are trending upward in Connecticut.
There have already been 66 fatalities in 2018
It looks like this year could end up similar to the last few. While figures from the first quarter of 2018 don’t show a sharp spike in fatalities compared to other years, they also don’t show much of a decrease. With 66 fatalities so far this year, 2018 has surpassed the number of traffic deaths at this time in 2015. The good news is that there were more fatal accidents by this time in both 2016 and 2017. Overall, crashes seem to be on the increase, but only time will tell how 2018 develops.
This information can help you make more informed decisions about getting behind the wheel. Knowing that people die on the road almost every day in this state can inspire you to reduce potential risks, such a distraction and intoxication. It can also motivate you to pay closer attention to your surroundings when you’re in control of a moving vehicle.
Compensation for losses
For those who have already lost a loved one to a tragic motor vehicle crash, it may be possible to seek compensation for your losses. Depending on the circumstances, you could seek lost wages, medical expenses, funeral costs and other damages from the person who caused the fatal crash.
While no amount of compensation can give back what you lost, it can provide a form of justice by holding accountable the person who caused the crash.
