Social distancing and more people working remotely has resulted in less traffic on Arkansas highways.
Travel on all roads and streets decreased by 18.6% for March of this year compared to March 2019, according to data from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration.
In Arkansas, vehicles traveled 2,912 miles in March compared to 3,458 miles in March 209, according to the Federal Highway Administration, a decrease of 15.8%. Texas vehicles traveled 20,005 miles this March compared to 24,084 miles in March 2019, a decrease of 16.9%
Speed is a contributing factor to most motor vehicle crashes and is a primary target for troopers across the state, said Bill Sadler, spokesman for the Arkansas State Police.
"There are other things that cause accidents such as following another vehicle too close, weather or distracted driving, but speed is a leading contributor. Speed enforcement is very important in the road duties of an Arkansas State Trooper," Sadler said.
ASP Troopers have been on the highways as usual during the pandemic.
"Troopers have been working as diligently as they have in previous years," Sadler said.
People working from home, however, may have resulted in fewer traffic citations in some areas.
From Jan. 1 to May 26, 2019, troopers with Arkansas State Police Troop G issued 2,264 speeding citations to motorists driving one to 15 mph over the speed limit and 1,633 citations were issued for driving 15 or more miles over the speed limit, according to ASP data.
From Jan. 1 to May 26 of this year, Troop G issued 1,693 citations for driving one to 15 miles over the speed limit and 1,285 citations for driving 15 or more miles over the speed limit.
For the state of Arkansas as a whole, ASP troopers issued 11,268 citations for driving one to 15 miles over the speed limit between Jan. 1 and the end of May 2019. Troopers issued 17,684 citations for driving 15 miles or over during that same time period.
Between Jan. 1 and May 26 this year, troopers have issued 10,287 citations for driving one to 15 miles over the speed limit and 15,565 citations for driving 15 miles or more over.
Vehicle accidents have also decreased in Arkansas, but accidents with fatalities have actually increased from last year.
From March 1, 2019, to May 26, 2019, 4,618 motor vehicle crashes were investigated by Arkansas State Police. Those numbers dropped to 3,357 in the same time frame this year, according to ASP.
From Jan. 1 to May 26 of this year, ASP worked 186 fatal vehicle accidents that resulted in 204 deaths.
For that same time period in 2019, there were 173 fatal crashes that resulted in 187 deaths.
Sadler said troopers are finding an increase in more single vehicle crashes and that crashes with multiple fatalities can usually be attributed to speed.