US traffic deaths at highest in 16 years; state police ramping up traffic enforcement

close

Video

Traffic deaths increase 16% from 2018 nationwide

Nearly 43,000 people were killed on U.S. streets and highways last year, the most in 16 years.

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Biden administration calls it a crisis on America’s roads. Nearly 43,000 people were killed on U.S. streets and highways last year, the most in 16 years as Americans returned to driving after staying home during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Before 2020, the number of U.S. traffic deaths had fallen for three straight years. But police say they’ve seen a lot more reckless drivers during the pandemic. Iowa State Patrol troopers say it’s not uncommon to spot drivers speeding at 150 mph on highways.

While traveling, drivers likely don't pay attention to traffic in the sky. But Iowa State Trooper Pilot Taylor Grimm is paying attention to drivers below.

"I am looking for people that are excessively speeding, going really fast, weaving all over the road," Grimm said. "We stop people for a hundred miles an hour almost daily with our airplanes." 

3 CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICERS INJURED IN FIERY FREEWAY CRASH

Iowa State Police say they regularly see drivers speeding at over 100 mph. (Fox News)

He communicates with State Trooper Mark Griggs on the ground, letting Griggs know which cars are speeding as they approach him.

"Speed, specifically since the pandemic, has just skyrocketed. It’s pretty bad," Grimm said. 

Trooper Alex Dinkla says speed is to blame in a nearly 15% increase in Iowa traffic deaths compared to the same time last year.  

US TRAFFIC DEATHS SOARED TO 16-YEAR RECORD OF 42,915 IN 2021

The entire country is seeing similar increases.

Iowa State Trooper Mark Griggs has been on the job 29 years and says speeding in the past few years is the worst he's seen.  (Fox News )

Traffic deaths nationwide jumped over 10% from 2020 and nearly 17% from 2018.  

Safety advocates blame speeding, distracted or impaired driving and not wearing seat belts.

"Our speculation is that, during the pandemic, when the roads were really empty, a number of people took to the roads and used our roadways as racetracks," said Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety. "And they were speeding and letting off aggression and frustration and depression. And that's still lingering, but our roads are populated again. So, it's kind of a perfect storm of what's happening on our roads right now."

Iowa State Trooper Pilot Taylor Grimm directs another trooper through radio to pull over a speeding motorcyclist. The motorcyclist didn't have a license to ride at the time of the stop.  (Fox News )

The safety advocates group is pressuring the U.S. Department of Transportation to require more crash avoidance technology in new cars, like automatic emergency braking and blind spot detection. 

"They don’t see officers, but we're out here, and we're going to make traffic stops. And people are going to have a consequence for driving those speeds," Dinkla warned. 

Police caution that reckless drivers are risking lives and their freedom. 

"If somebody is killed because of your reckless driving, you can be charged criminally as well," Grimm said. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced his department’s new Safe Streets and Roads for All program this week. It will provide federal cash to communities that pledge to promote safety for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists.  

The Biden administration is sending $5 billion in federal aid to help communities slow down cars, carve out bike paths and widen sidewalks. The administration is also hoping to ramp up public transit usage.