By Associated Press - Monday, February 8, 2021

BOSTON (AP) - Nearly as many people died on Massachusetts roads in 2020 as in 2019, even though traffic was lighter last year because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to preliminary state figures.

There were 334 traffic deaths in Massachusetts in 2020, compared to 337 in 2019, despite significant reductions in traffic and the overall number of crashes, The Boston Globe reported.

The roadway fatalities included 185 drivers and 33 passengers. The 50 pedestrian fatalities in 2020 were a significant decrease from 76 in 2019, according to the state.

The number of total crashes in the state during 2020 fell by more than 40,000, meaning crashes that did occur were more likely to be fatal.

Increased speeds, made more possible by lower traffic volumes, have been widely cited by officials and experts as a likely cause of the increased rate of traffic fatalities.

“We were noticing that we were having a sharp influx of fatalities when we had less than 50% of the volume,” said Neil Boudreau, a state Department of Transportation official. “That was shocking, but also trending along with the fact that perhaps people were driving faster than they had been.”

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