A recent article in the Hartford Courant examining a sudden increase in fatal crashes across Connecticut has transportation safety experts sounding the alarm as the busy summer travel season begins.

The story featured Eric Jackson, executive director of the Connecticut Transportation Institute and director of the Connecticut Transportation Safety Research Center, who noted that 16 roadway fatalities were recorded in just nine days — a significant increase that quickly narrowed what had been a year-over-year decline in traffic deaths.

Jackson points to a combination of warmer weather, longer days, increased travel, and more vulnerable road users on the road as factors that contribute to what safety professionals often call the “100 Deadly Days of Summer” between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

He also warns that motorcycle fatalities may continue to rise as more riders return to the roads, particularly amid higher fuel prices. For journalists covering traffic safety, transportation trends, infrastructure, or public policy, Jackson offers valuable insight into the data, behaviors, and seasonal factors influencing roadway fatalities.

The latest data released by the University of Connecticut Crash Repository — which tracks fatal crashes throughout the year — shows that 16 fatalities were reported on Connecticut’s roads between May 10 and May 19, when the numbers were last updated. That many fatal crashes in that short of a time span is a “huge” number and one that “we usually don’t see,” said Dr. Eric Jackson, a research professor at UConn.

The overall number of traffic fatalities is still down across the state compared to the same time last year, but the gap has shrunk drastically in the last few weeks, according to Jackson, who serves as the executive director of the Connecticut Transportation Institute and the director of the Connecticut Transportation Safety Research Center.

As of May 10, there were 64 traffic deaths reported in 2026 compared to 78 at the same time last year. The most recent data shows that 80 fatal crashes have now been reported so far this year, compared to 83 at the same time in 2025.

One potential reason for the drastic uptick in fatalities could be the increased activity that goes along with warmer weather and longer days.

“People are out and about more,” Jackson said.

During the first several months of the year, cold weather and a number of winter storms could have contributed to keeping many people inside and slowing down those who did go out, Jackson speculated.

“Snowstorms, huge weather events usually prevent fatalities because people aren’t driving as fast,” he said.  

The trend is especially concerning as higher fuel prices have more people looking to motorcycles as a way to get around in better weather while reducing their fuel consumption. Nine riders have died in Connecticut in the past few weeks, leading some local news outlets to ask: Are high gas prices fueling a rise in deadly motorcycle crashes?

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Connect with Eric Jackson to discuss seasonal traffic safety trends, motorcycle safety, transportation data analysis, and strategies to reduce roadway fatalities.