Rate Of Fatal Crashes In MA Doubles, Despite 50% Cut In Traffic

BOSTON, MA — The rate of fatal crashes in Massachusetts doubled in April, despite a 50 percent drop in traffic on major highways, according to figures from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. There were 28 fatalities last month, compared to 27 fatalities in April 2019, when there were twice as many cars on the roads.

"Our traffic and safety engineers continuously monitor roadways across the Commonwealth and have identified a dangerous trend that has led to the doubling of the vehicular fatality rate in Massachusetts for the month of April," Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver said in a statement. "During the pandemic, everyone in the Commonwealth has sacrificed and used disciplined actions to keep themselves, their loved ones, and our community safe. We ask that all residents use this same dedication to safety and reduce their speeds when driving."

Transportation officials underscored the importance of practicing proper roadway safety, including wearing a seatbelt, driving sober, obeying the hands-free law and not speeding.

Massachusetts saw three deaths in a 24-hour period on April 18 and 19 – on Route 41 South in Richmond, I-495 South in Hopkinton and I-195 East in Seekonk. The most recent fatality happened Saturday, May 2 on I-93 in Andover.

The state has several initiatives which seek to improve road safety, including:

• The Massachusetts Strategic Highway Safety Plan, crafted by a diverse cross section of government agencies, advocates, and other stakeholders which contains specific strategies, direct actions and legislative proposals to get Massachusetts closer towards zero deaths and to an interim goal of a 12% drop in five-year average fatalities and a 21% drop in five-year average serious injuries.
• The 2019 Massachusetts Pedestrian Transportation Plan and 2019 Massachusetts Bicycle Transportation Plan seek to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries for pedestrians, individuals using a wheelchair, cane or other assisted mobility device, and those riding bicycles while increasing the number of trips taken.
• MassDOT’s public education program, “Scan the Street for Wheels and Feet,” underscores the need for greater awareness on the road, citing statistics including, “1 in 4 deaths in motor vehicle crashes involve people walking or bicycling.” MassDOT has been pleased to work collaboratively on this public safety initiative with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston Vision Zero, WalkBoston, MassBike, and the Safe Roads Alliance.