Many states are working to improve road safety for all citizens, because behind every person who gets into a car, there’s a story, there’s a family.
The latest data on road deaths in the United States comes from 2023, when 40,990 deaths were recorded, but during the first three months of 2024, the estimated rate was 1.13 deaths per 100 million miles travelled.
It’s only natural that, with these numbers in hand, states want to take action and tighten measures. That’s why, starting now, what used to be a minor infraction with a small fine will no longer be considered as such and will now be classified as a felony. We’re talking about cracking down on reckless driving, and the proposed measures range from $10,000 fines to prison sentences of up to five years.
One message is clear: putting people’s lives at risk cannot come free of consequences.
A current problem, an urgent response
Reckless driving seems to have become a trending topic, and it’s one of the biggest challenges faced by today’s lawmakers and authorities. And as we mentioned at the beginning of this article, although mortality rates are declining, many lives are still lost in traffic accidents, and the majority of those are caused by driver distractions or reckless behaviour, such as driving under the influence.
Driver distractions
Using electronic devices or mobile phones while driving is one of the biggest threats on the road. In 2022, 12.1% of accidents were caused by mobile phone use, and nearly 8% of deaths were linked to similar distractions.
Perhaps we still don’t realize that when we get into a vehicle, we’re not the only ones on the road, and all lives are equally valuable. That’s why some states are seeking to toughen up regulations to curb these trends.
Minnesota leads the way
It’s one of the states that has said “enough” to road deaths caused by reckless driving. In 2024 alone, nearly 500 people lost their lives in Minnesota due to this type of driving, and unlike other states, the number has increased, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
Lawmakers have responded decisively by proposing two new laws: HF 340 and SF 191.
What the new laws say
These legislative proposals may seem like harsh penalties, but they classify fleeing the scene of an accident and failing to help the injured as a felony, meaning breaking this law could lead to five years in prison.
That’s what bill HF 340 sets out, but meanwhile, bill SF 191 would also change the penalties for fleeing police and violating traffic laws, including a proposed fine of up to $10,000, since it assumes a conscious risk of causing death or serious injury to another person.
Is this only happening in the United States?
Not at all, it’s a global issue. The WHO estimates that 1.2 million people die in road accidents every year, and between 20 and 50 million suffer non-fatal injuries. It also states that road crashes are the leading cause of death among children and young people between the ages of 5 and 29.
Behind every one of those numbers are stories, families, and futures cut short by human error. Becoming aware that the road doesn’t belong to us alone is not just a duty, it’s an obligation.
And with these laws, more than just punishing, the aim is to raise awareness that every decision we make behind the wheel can be the thin line between life and death.
