By Craig Anderson

DOVER — A statewide surge in roadway deaths came in with the new year, and has consistently remained ahead of 2021’s pace since.

There had been 88 individuals killed in the First State in 2022 as of Wednesday, compared to 75 at the same point last year.
While the Delaware Office of Highway Safety, Department of Transportation and State Police have combined efforts to slow the toll, fatalities continue.

Fortunately, the pace slowed in July (seven deaths) and August (four through Thursday). Also, alcohol/drug-related fatalities had dropped from 20 in 2021 to four in 2022.

According to Office of Highway Safety spokesperson Jason Coleman, “Speeding, distracted and impaired driving continue to be the leading contributing factors for fatalities on Delaware roadways.

“These behaviors are dangerous and preventable. It is important that drivers and pedestrians avoid distractions such as texting, talking and scrolling through social media on a handheld phone.”

According to Mr. Coleman, “It takes 13 seconds before your brain refocuses on the road after looking at a cell phone.”

Also, he cautioned, “Impaired driving is never acceptable. Drivers should make a plan for a sober ride home if they are drinking. There are many alternatives to getting home safely such as using a rideshare service, calling a taxi or having a friend or family member be a designated driver.

“Additionally, drivers must follow posted speed limits and wear a seat belt. Speeding increases the chances of losing control of your vehicle, stopping distance and risk of serious injury and death.”

Of the fatal crashes this year, 38 occurred in New Castle County, 27 in Sussex County and 15 in Kent County.

The increased danger isn’t limited to Delaware.

In findings released this week, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that 9,560 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes in the first quarter of 2022. This is an increase of about 7% as compared to the 8,935 fatalities for the same quarter in 2021, the administration reported. This would be the highest number of first-quarter fatalities since 2002.

Deputy Director Richard Klepner said OHS “is committed to improving the safety of Delaware’s roadways by focusing on improving behavioral traffic safety.

“OHS prioritizes issues such as impaired driving, seat belt use, aggressive driving, child passenger safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety and teen driving issues.

“OHS continues to engage with new partners utilizing our grants program which can provide community-level funding for behavioral traffic safety projects.”

Information on applying for grant funding is online at ohs.delaware.gov/grants.shtml.

According to Mr. Coleman, the Office of Highway Safety works with the Department of Transportation and other agencies to implement the approved countermeasure strategies of the State Highway Safety plan.

Messaging on social media and other platforms is key, and Mr. Coleman said, “We’re working on increasing efforts to reach underserved communities by increasing our messaging to the Spanish-speaking community, providing reflective materials to homeless shelters and participating in many child passenger safety events throughout the community.”

Department of Transportation spokesperson C.R. McLeod said multiple efforts for safety have been made throughout the year and Secretary Nicole Majeski “continues to talk about this issue at every opportunity also.”

According to Mr. Coleman, “OHS continues to partner with state and local law enforcement to increase high visibility enforcement. Additionally, paid media, educational campaigns and PR/grassroots outreach throughout the community. These strategies combined help drive our mission and goal towards zero deaths and bring awareness to the risky driving behaviors we see on Delaware roadways.”

Delaware State Police spokesperson Senior Cpl. Leonard DeMalto said, “We fully support the messages and campaigns endorsed by OHS that encourage safe driving, which is shown by our troopers taking enforcement action throughout the state on a daily basis that is consistent with the goals and messages put forth by OHS.”

When it comes to a crash response, Cpl. DeMalto said, “The primary resource utilized by DSP to respond to and investigate ... is a uniformed patrol trooper.

“Generally, our dispatch centers field calls of accidents and a trooper will respond accordingly after the crash is broadcast to those working at the time. If the crash involves very serious/life-threatening injuries or fatalities, our Collision Reconstruction Unit will respond to the scene and assume the investigation.”

Additionally, Mr. Coleman said, fitting station coordinators Aubrey Klick and Shawn Rowe provided education and car seat checks at Harper’s Heart SIDS Prevention and Toddler Safety Course, Children and Families First partnership, Down Syndrome Association of Delaware Summer Camp, Little School Summer Camp, Greenwood PD National Night Out and First State Community Action Agency’s Community Awareness Day.

Information on scheduling a car seat check can be found at arrivealivede.com/secure-the-kids.