COLUMBUS – The stress of living through a nine-month-old pandemic and its economic fallout, compounded by regular daily stress and that associated with the approaching holiday has made Ohio roads angry — and dangerous.
Although traffic volume on the state’s highways and streets has been reduced by about 15% since June, Ohio State Highway Patrol statistics show an 8% increase in the number of fatal crashes since March, when the COVID-19 pandemic brought the state’s economy to a screeching halt.
Nearly 80% of drivers in the U.S. admit they experienced anger, aggression or road range behind the wheel at least once in the past year, according to data gathered by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, and that can lead to dangerous driving behavior, such as speeding and running red lights.
Men are most likely to admit to speeding, tailgating, merging dangerously, honking and making rude gestures while women admit to running red lights, the foundation said.
Overall, younger male and female drivers tend to be more aggressive than older drivers.
The largest percentage of men (52%) and women (44.6%) admitted they drove 15 mph over the speed limit on a freeway. Data from the Highway Patrol also shows nearly a 46% increase in citations issued for speeds in excess of 100 mph in Ohio this year.
Ohio’s traffic volume bottomed out at 49% of 2019 levels in April but the patrol reports an 8% increase in speed-related fatalities between mid-March and mid-November despite the smaller number of vehicles on the roads.
The patrol reports the top contributing circumstances for fatal crashes are failure to yield, speed, impaired driving and failure to wear seatbelts.
To reduce the chances of being involved in an accident, the auto club recommends following posted speed limits, maintaining an adequate following distance, using turn signals, allowing other motorists to merge and being considerate in parking lots.