Delaware Auto Accident Trends, Facts & Statistics

Motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of personal injury in the United States. Each year, millions of Americans are injured and die on our nation’s highways and local roads, and these accidents cost our economy billions of dollars every year.

There is a considerable lag in traffic accident data and crash statistics as local, state and federal authorities gather and analyze the data before publishing it about one year to eighteen months later. At the latter end of 2015, we are able to look at the 2013 traffic statistics and some preliminary numbers from 2014.

Traffic fatalities decline in Delaware

According to the Delaware Department of Transportation, (DelDOT) there was a 13.6 percent drop in fatal traffic crashes and a 14.6 percent drop in traffic deaths in Delaware in 2013. Statewide there were 95 fatal motor vehicle crashes that resulted in 99 fatalities, compared with 110 fatal crashes that resulted in 116 fatalities in 2012. The year 2013 was the first year that traffic fatalities have been under 100 since 1963.

“Safety is the number one priority of the Delaware Department of Transportation. We start every year with a goal: to reduce the number of deaths on our roads to zero. We are pleased progress is being made, but we aren’t satisfied. Delaware’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan aims to curb aggressive driving, reduce impaired driving, increase pedestrian safety and increase the use of seatbelts,” said DelDOT Secretary Shailen Bhatt.

The seat belt use rate increased to an all-time high of 92 percent. Of the traffic crash fatalities on 2103, 48 percent of them were not wearing seat belts. DelDOT data shows that 36 percent of the traffic deaths were alcohol related, there was a slight decrease in pedestrian deaths at 26 which is down from 30 in 2012. There were 20 motorcycle fatalities, which was up from 17 the previous year.

Causes of fatal motor vehicle crashes

According to Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports, the top ten causes of fatal motor vehicle crashes in 2013 include:

1. Speeding
2. Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
3. Failure to remain in the proper lane
4. Failure to yield right of way
5. Distracted driving (phone, talking, eating)
6. Careless driving
7. Over correcting/ oversteering
8. Failure to obey traffic signs, signals or law enforcement officer
9. Vision obscured by weather
10. Wrong way driving

2015 looks like a deadly year for traffic fatalities

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued early traffic fatality statistics for 2015, which reports that 7,500 people died in motor vehicle crashes in the first quarter of 2015, which is a 9.5 percent increase over the 6,850 fatalities in the first quarter of 2014. Data from the Federal Highway Administration shows that vehicle miles traveled in the first quarter increased by about 9.8 billion miles, or about a 3.9 percent increase. These numbers are still quite raw, so the NHTSA has not yet offered their theories or analysis of these numbers.

August of 2013 was the deadliest month on the nation’s roadways with 3,136 motor vehicle crash fatalities in that month alone.

Taking a look at both local and national trends can help determine if we are headed in the right direction when it comes to traffic safety, and what changes can be made to improve the safety of the traveling public.

Individuals who are injured in auto accidents caused by the negligence of another driver may be able to take legal action against the responsible party and recover financial compensation for their injuries. The skilled personal injury attorneys at Silverman, McDonald & Friedman have more than 100 years of combined legal experience helping their clients recover after an injury. You may call us at 302.414.5553 or fill out our quick contact form to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. We have three offices located in Newark, Seaford and Wilmington from which we serve clients throughout Delaware.