In the first quarter of 2024, California experienced a 5% rise in traffic fatalities, reporting 965 deaths compared to 919 in the same period in 2023. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), this increase stands in contrast to the national trend, where traffic deaths decreased by 3.2%.
The rise in fatalities in California prompts a closer look at various factors. One potential contributor is the state’s leading adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). EVs are quieter, making it harder for pedestrians and cyclists to notice them. Additionally, EVs are significantly heavier than their gas-powered counterparts due to the weight of their batteries. Axios notes that ‘the 2023 GMC Hummer EV weighs over 9,000 pounds, with a 2,900-pound battery, compared to the 2023 GMC Sierra, which weighs under 6,000 pounds.’
In addition to the characteristics of EVs, other factors include distracted driving due to smartphones, substance abuse, and reckless driving post-pandemic. California’s population growth and urban development have also increased traffic congestion, further complicating driving conditions.
California’s fatality rate was 1.31 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, higher than the national rate of 1.13. The California Office of Traffic Safety emphasizes improved infrastructure, better traffic law enforcement, and enhanced vehicle safety features to reduce these preventable tragedies.
