Supply chain crisis – The 2021 supply chain crisis can be blamed for another problem: an increase in car accidents on the Treasure Coast. The shipping crisis has caused Amazon to boost its workforce by 75% in hopes of filling gaps of the truck driver shortage. This means an additional 260,000 delivery drivers will be on the road this holiday season.
Truck driver shortage – Across Florida, the truck driving shortage has hit a record high. Drivers that are still working now face longer hours and tighter schedules, which increases the risk of truck accidents. Plus, trucking companies are offering salary increases and incentives to attract new drivers. Rookie drivers working their first holiday season may get overwhelmed and be too inexperienced to make the right decisions behind the wheel.
Congested roadways – A record-breaking 115.6 million travelers will hit U.S. roadways this holiday season—a 71% increase compared to last year. As the COVID-19 pandemic lingers on for a second year, many people are choosing to travel for the holidays, but are doing so via car. With more cars on the road, statistically there is a greater chance of getting into an accident.
Failure to maintain vehicles – With many Treasure Coast residents quarantining and practicing social distancing this past year, AAA reports a noticeable decline in regular vehicle maintenance services. Poor vehicle maintenance is a leading cause of accidents, especially with long-distance driving.