Fatal Accidents On The Rise In Connecticut: Study

Fatal vehicle crashes rose in the United States from 2015 to 2016, according to the National Highway Safety Administration, but in Connecticut the rate of fatal crashes grew at a faster pace during the same period.

According to the NHSA, fatal crashes were up more than 5 percent nationally in 2016 as compared to 2015 but, according to AAA, the increase in Connecticut was about 12 percent, or more than double the national increase.

There were 311 fatal crashes in 2016 in Connecticut, up from 278 in 2015, according to crash data collected by the University of Connecticut from the State Department of Transportation and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and analyzed by AAA.

“Of course this is troubling, but not surprising” said Amy Parmenter, spokesperson for AAA in Greater Hartford, in a statement. “Unfortunately, we can’t just point to one thing and fix it. There are a growing number of factors at play.”

According to the NHTSA report, distraction and drowsy driving fatalities were actually down. But fatal crashes caused by speeding, drunk driving and not wearing a seat belt continue to increase.

“These are not just numbers, they are lives. AAA and all of our traffic safety partners here in Connecticut will continue our efforts to reverse this troubling trend,” Parmenter added.

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