RI's Deadly Roads? Fatal Accidents Jumped 18 Percent in 2016: Insurers Say

PROVIDENCE, RI — Auto insurance costs could be trending up for Rhode Islanders, due to a spike in 2016 traffic fatalities here. According to the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, fatal accidents jumped nearly 18 percent in Rhode Island. That's three times the National Safety Council's estimate.

“Even though enhanced safety technologies have made automobiles safer for passengers, auto accidents and the costs associated with those crashes are rising sharply in Rhode Island and across the country,” said Frank O’Brien, the association's vice president of state government relations. He recommended "cracking down on distracted driving, fixing urban roads in poor condition, promoting" public transportation and investing in "sophisticated crash-avoidance technology.”

According to the 2014 NAIC Auto Insurance Database Report, Rhode Island ranks seventh highest in the nation for average liability premiums and third highest in the nation for average collision premiums. Some reasons could be:

• 42% more miles traveled in congested urban areas than national average.
• 43% of roads are in poor condition, the 2nd highest in the country.
• 12th highest expenditure for road maintenance in the country.
• 23% higher in collision repair costs from 2013 to 2016 than neighboring states.

Unsafe driving behavior:

• 45% of traffic fatalities in the state are related to speeding.
• 43% of traffic fatalities in the state are alcohol related with BAC of 0.08% or more.
• Young drivers aged 16 to 20 represent about 5% of the licensed drivers, yet 10% of all fatal crashes.

“Despite the Rhode Island State Police more than doubling the number of citations written for texting while driving, the ubiquitous use of smartphones continues to put everyone on the road at risk," he said.