Traffic Fatalities On The Rise
US Traffic Fatalities and Work Zone Crashes: A Broader Look with a Lens on Incompetence
Let’s not make assumptions about cause and effect when it comes to driver behavior. And let’s not dismiss what’s right in front of us.... incompetence on a national scale that seems like it could be intentional.
Overall Traffic Fatalities Since 2020
U.S. traffic fatalities surged starting in 2020, peaked in 2021, and have since declined—but remain above pre-pandemic levels. The irony? Fatalities spiked when there were fewer cars on the road due to COVID lockdowns. NHTSA data confirms that reduced traffic somehow encouraged more reckless behavior—speeding, distraction, and impaired driving. 😉
| Year | Total Fatalities | % Change | Fatality Rate (per 100M VMT) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 36,096 | -2.4% | 1.11 | Pre-COVID baseline |
| 2020 | 38,824 | +7.5% | 1.37 | Lockdowns cut driving ~13%, but speeding (+17%) rose sharply |
| 2021 | 43,230 | +10.8% | 1.37 | Peak year—highest since 2005; pedestrian deaths up 13% |
| 2022 | 42,795 | -1.0% | 1.33 | First decline; VMT rebounded |
| 2023 | 40,990 | -4.2% | 1.27 | Infrastructure safety funding began taking effect |
| 2024 | 39,345 (est.) | -3.8% | 1.20 | Lowest since 2020; 2025 midyear down another 8% |
The Irony of “Less Traffic, More Deaths”
During 2020, vehicle miles traveled dropped by roughly 13%—yet fatalities rose. The narrative is that empty roads became racetracks. Over 65% of drivers in fatal crashes had blood alcohol levels above legal limits, and speeding-related deaths hit a 15-year high. But somehow with fewer people on the road there were more fatalities 🤔
Work Zone Fatalities: A Growing Concern
Work zone crashes make up only 2–3% of all fatal crashes but have risen 50% since 2013. The infrastructure boom fueled by the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law added thousands of active work zones nationwide—each with its own hazards: narrow lanes, sudden stops, and poor visibility. (There couldn't be anything nefarious behind this 😉)
| Year | Fatal Crashes | Total Fatalities | % Change | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 765 | 842 | +11.2% | Pre-COVID baseline |
| 2020 | 774 | 863 | +2.5% | Speeding impacted zones |
| 2021 | 800 | 956 | +10.8% | Infrastructure project surge |
| 2022 | 780 | 900 | -5.9% | Improved signage/enforcement |
| 2023 | 750 | 898 | -0.2% | Stable; still above 2020 levels |
| 2024 (est.) | 740 | 850 | -5.3% | Reflects broader safety gains |
Key Stats: • Work zone fatalities rose 10.8% from 2020–2021, but 50% since 2013—far outpacing national trends. • 80–85% of victims are motorists; 10–15% are workers. • Speeding and rear-end collisions lead the causes. • Estimated cost: $39 billion/year (2025 dollars).
The Suspicion Flag: Gross Incompetence in Work Zones
No, there’s no proof of intentional sabotage. But there’s ample evidence of gross incompetence in how work zones are designed, managed, and enforced.
1. Inadequate Safety Measures
- 20–30% of work zone crashes involve poor signage or missing barriers.
- Only 40% of zones use concrete “positive protection” barriers, even though they’re proven to save lives.
- In 2025, 60% of contractors reported crashes in their zones, often from vehicles breaching unsecured areas.
2. Infrastructure Boom Pressure
The infrastructure surge—roughly 25,000 extra projects per year—stretched resources thin. Corners were cut on flagging, lighting, and lane marking. Colorado, for example, saw a 94% jump in work zone fatalities in 2024, tied to project overload and poor oversight.
3. Dangerous Design Meets Human Error
Speeding and distractions already kill, but cramped lanes and abrupt detours make crashes twice as likely to be fatal. Large trucks—33% of work zone deaths—struggle to maneuver safely through these tight, confusing areas.
Connecting the Dots: Incompetence and the “Less Traffic” Paradox
The spike in deaths during lighter traffic years (2020–2021) wasn’t just reckless drivers—it was reckless systems. With fewer cars, people sped through poorly designed zones that lacked barriers or clear signage. The 10.8% rise in work zone fatalities mirrors the national fatality trend, showing how human behavior and system design collided.
While recent declines (down ~9% overall and ~11% in work zones since 2021) show improvement, fatalities are still above pre-pandemic levels. Billions in safety funding and stricter enforcement help—but not enough if states ignore proven safety measures.
Conclusion: The Real Problem? Mismanagement? Or something more nefarious?
The rise in work zone deaths points to systemic failure, and It's hard not to see it as intentional. The “less traffic, more deaths” paradox being blamed on driver behavior is suspicious.. Without serious investment in safety barriers, real-time alerts, and better oversight, these zones will continue to act as death traps for unsuspecting drivers and workers alike.
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