There were fewer people driving, but those who were traveling on the country's roads, streets, and stroads were dying at higher rates. In fact, the rate of crashes and deaths exploded, especially during months with the least amount of traffic. During the first three quarters of 2020, the traffic fatality rate jumped to 1.25 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, up from 1.06 during the same period in 2019. In the second quarter, during the initial pandemic lockdowns and stay-at-home orders, the fatality rate hit 1.42, a terrible rate of carnage.12
