The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Chair, Jennifer Homendy, has highlighted a growing public health crisis in the United States related to traffic fatalities, which remain significantly elevated compared to pre-pandemic levels. During a recent board meeting, Homendy pointed out that the U.S. has the highest number and rate of motor-vehicle deaths among developed nations and criticized the lack of sufficient federal oversight. Despite a slight decrease in traffic deaths in the first half of 2024, totals remain alarming, with more than 18,700 fatalities reported. Experts attribute the increase in risky driving behaviors during the pandemic to diminished police presence and enforcement.
