Could Decreased Traffic Stops Increase the Risk of Indianapolis Car Accidents?

February 9, 2024

Whenever you get behind the wheel of a car and enter the open road, you’re undertaking a massive responsibility. Being behind the wheel means that you’re responsible for focusing on the road and paying attention to your surroundings. Failing to do so puts your own health and safety at risk as well as others around you, including your passengers, other drivers, and even pedestrians.  

Getting caught up in an accident while out for a drive is definitely no joke. Let the Indianapolis car accident lawyers with Hensley Legal Group have a look at your case. We don’t guarantee specific results, but we can promise that we’ll do everything we possibly can to help.  

Get in touch with us at your earliest convenience. Call us at 317-472-3333, send us a message online, or chat with us. Day or night, you can trust our team of lawyers to listen to your needs and provide you with excellent service. 

We’re here for you however we possibly can be. 

Decreased traffic stops could play a role here 

Did you know that since the start of the pandemic, traffic deaths have increased dramatically?  

As per research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 46,020 people tragically lost their lives in motor vehicle accidents in 2022. This figure is slightly down from the number lost in 2021. However, it’s remarkably 18 percent higher than it was in 2019.  

According to an article in The Washington Post, author Justin Fox suggests that a decrease in traffic stops could be to blame for the rising fatalities in accidents.  

Fox writes that Minneapolis and several other cities adopted policies that prevent officers from stopping vehicles that commit minor offenses in 2020 after the murder of George Floyd. Although no concrete evidence currently exists to prove that a decrease in traffic stops raises the number of fatalities in traffic evidence, Fox’s findings are certainly interesting.  

Reckless driving definitely increases your risk of an accident

Although no one enjoys receiving a ticket, they exist for a reason. Police officers pull over drivers for engaging in unsafe behaviors on the road. This could range from a wide variety of things, from speeding to reckless driving. 

At the very least, it’s easy to see where Fox draws his findings from. If there are less police officers patrolling the roads, unruly drivers are getting away with their dangerous habits.  

Car accidents can happen for any number of reasons. But many of the most common reasons are due to driver behavior. These can include:  

• Excessive speeding  
• Failing to adjust to poor weather conditions  
• Failing to share the road with other drivers, including motorcyclists and truck drivers  
• Failing to reduce speed in a construction zone 
• Texting while driving  
• Eating while driving 
• Applying makeup while driving
• Reaching for items in the passenger seat or back seat
• Looking at passengers in the car while speaking to them  

Anything that takes a driver’s focus off the road counts as distracted driving. Although Indiana officially banned operating a mobile device by hand while driving, there are so many distractions that still exist.  

When you take your vision of the road for any amount of time, you’re increasing your risk for unsafe driving that could result in an accident. 

If a police officer spots a driver engaging in dangerous behavior like these, they may issue a warning, written citation, or a ticket. The fines associated with the ticket often range on the severity of the crime. In some cases, drivers could end up with points on their license or even lose their license entirely for a period of time. 

Put your trust in the right hands after your accident

Sadly, you can end up in an accident even if you have a perfect driving record. Just because you drive responsibly and abide by all traffic laws doesn’t mean that other drivers do.  

Irresponsible drivers pose a serious risk to themselves and everyone else on the road too.  

Here at Hensley Legal Group, we want to protect your rights. If you didn’t cause the accident, we don’t think you should be held financially responsible for the aftermath. Car repairs and hospital bills are incredibly expensive. Let us represent you and help fight for your rights. 

When you work with one of our Indianapolis car accident lawyers, we will go above and beyond to treat you the way we would want to be treated if we were in your shoes. Your safety and health absolutely matter to us.  

Reach out to us soon and let’s start talking about your Indianapolis car accident case. Reach us by phone at 317-472-3333, chat with us online, or send us a message through our contact form.  

You can trust Hensley Legal Group to give you sound, accurate legal advice as you navigate this difficult chapter. Hensley Legal Group cares about your case.