There is an interesting trend happening countrywide. Since COVID, drivers have been getting a lot less driving tickets on the road. For example, in Los Angeles, traffic tickets dropped by 57% between 2016 and 2022.(1) Other States and Cities saw a similar decrease, if not even more.
The challenge with this trend is that it lowers the consequences for those drivers that are willing to drive faster and more recklessly. This is increasing the number and severity of accidents on the road, driving up insurance premiums for everyone and, tragically, resulting in more fatalities and life-altering injuries.
I know this is a complex matter that may be impacted by our current political environment as well as a difficulty in hiring new police officers in bigger cities like Los Angeles, but it is important for our federal, state, and local leaders to recognize the urgency of taking action. In the end, this is a serious public safety issue that is affecting our communities and ultimately all of us.
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