June 21, 2023

By Lane Kimble

Encourage and demand safer driving, build safer roads, and make safer cars.

Those are the top recommendations from an eye-opening report out this week.

“America faces a roadway safety crisis,” TRIP’s June 2023 report concludes. TRIP is a national transportation research non-profit.

The report’s data show traffic deaths were up 19% (42,795 total) nationwide in 2022 compared to 2019. The approximate cost of fatal and serious crashes in 2022 approached $2 trillion.

In Wisconsin, traffic deaths were up 6% during the same timeframe (602 in 2022). That’s despite people driving 3% fewer miles in the Badger State.

The report blames a number of factors, but almost all fall on drivers taking increased risks such as speeding, not wearing seatbelts, and driving under the influence.

Among recommendationsto fix the problem, TRIP’s report recommends building safer roads with more roundabouts, expanding highways from two to four lanes when possible, and providing better work zone safety measures.

You can find more studies, data, and a link to the full report HERE.