Make light of it if you choose. 16 year high in traffic fatalities in 2021.
NHTSA projects an estimated 42,915 people died in traffic crashes in 2021, a 10.5% increase from 2020. The projection is the highest since 2005.
www.nhtsa.gov
"NHTSA projects that an estimated 42,915 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes last year, a 10.5% increase from the 38,824 fatalities in 2020. The projection is the highest number of fatalities since 2005 and the largest annual percentage increase in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System’s history. ..."
Doesn't reflect serious debilitating injuries and the significant economic costs.
FYI, that's a 1 year total, almost as many combat deaths in the decade Vietnam war, and it's 4x the number of deaths in a 2 front GWOT in Iraq and Afghanistan over ~30 combined years, with enemy combatants actively trying to kill Americas. Driving in the US is quite dangerous b/c people drive very recklessly. Per year, your odds of dying on American roads is quite high, compared to US casualties in GWOT. Many times higher, weirdly. It's a complex equation.
I've had several friends who suffered broken backs and broken necks, traumatic brain injuries, and other serious injuries, from car accidents, and none of their drives were worth the injuries. Driving for stupid reasons is a fools errand IMO. YMMV as they say. Best wishes and buckle up for those $5 savings!