Alaska sees 34 percent increase in motor vehicle traffic fatalities in 2016
November 23, 2016
As of Nov. 21st Alaska has had 75 traffic fatalities in 69 fatal crashes in 2016, according to the ADOT&PF Alaska Highway Safety Office. This compares to 56 fatalities in 53 fatal crashes for the same date in 2015. Traffic fatalities are on the rise nationally, as well. Preliminary data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show traffic fatalities rose by 10.4 percent in the first half of 2016 compared to the first half of 2015.
Graph showing the number of motor vehicle traffic fatalities in Alaska in recent years.
According to the Alaska Highway Safety Office, driver behavior contributed to about 75 percent of traffic fatalities in Alaska on average in recent years. The office’s data show these behaviors include impaired driving, speeding, and non-use and/or improper use of restraints, such as seatbelts. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities reminds Alaskans to follow safe driving practices. These include driving for conditions, using seat belts and headlights, not driving while impaired, and staying back from snow and ice removal equipment. According to the Alaska Department of Public Safety, distracted driving is a dangerous epidemic on America's roadways. In 2009 alone, nearly 5,500 people were killed and 450,000 more were injured in distracted driving crashes. You're 23x more likely to crash if you text while driving according to the Alaska Public Safety Department. The Alaska Legislature passed a law in 2012 making it illegal to send or read a text message while you are driving.
The Alaska Department of Public Stafety has also announced a Thanksgiving Click It or Ticket Campaign. One way to avoid a road-side chat with law enforcement this holiday season is as simple as buckling up! The Alaska State Troopers will be out conducting extra traffic enforcement efforts to ensure the safety of Alaskans while they celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday. While patrols will be focused on seat belt enforcement, troopers will also watch for impaired driving, speeding, aggressive driving, and distracted driving. The intention of the focused enforcement is to bring the number of major-injury or fatal collisions on Alaska’s roads down to zero. Regardless of what your ultimate plans are for Thanksgiving, Troopers encourage you to always practice safe driving behaviors on the roads while traveling to and from your destination. If you are in a vehicle, you should always wear your seatbelt and encourage those around you to do the same. Children in vehicles should be properly restrained using the appropriate safety equipment whether it be a seatbelt, a booster seat or a car seat. Troopers encourage everyone to Report Every Dangerous Driver Immediately (REDDI Alert) by calling 9-1-1. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities also urges drivers to visit 511.alaska.gov or call 511 to check road conditions before traveling.
Reporting & Editing by Mary Kauffman, SitNews
Source of News:
Representations of fact and opinions in comments posted are solely those of the individual posters and do not represent the opinions of Sitnews.
|
||
