Rural Road Safety

Rural roads are beautiful, but they’re hiding a deadly secret – nearly half of all fatal crashes occur on them, even though only 19% of the U.S. population lives in rural areas.

That’s not all. Nationally, 43% of alcohol-related motor vehicle fatalities occurred on rural roads, and drug-impaired drivers killed 2,644 people on rural roads in 2020 – but that figure is likely an undercount, as nearly twice as many crash deaths (5,335) have no information about potential drug involvement.

Drinking and driving is a crime and there is no road that is safe from the consequences of drinking and driving, even a rural one. Plan ahead and NEVER drink and drive. Call a friend or family member, use a rideshare app, stay put and spend the night, or just don’t drink!

Halloween Safety

The only thing scarier than zombies and witches loose on the streets is an impaired driver. This year, NHTSA is teaming up with local officials to help spread the message that:

If you feel different, You drive different.

So, if you plan to drive, plan to refrain from alcohol or drugs. If you do plan to enjoy some witch’s brew, be sure to arrange a sober ride home in advance. Stay safe on Halloween night, and every night.

Help spread this message by using these social media graphics to share on your channels. 

Pedestrian Safety Awareness Month

Our partners at the Virginia DMV, along with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), recognize October as Pedestrian Safety Month. Responsibility for pedestrian safety begins with each individual. If a crystal ball could predict who, what, where or when the next victim would be involved in a pedestrian crash, it would be helpful to eliminate such tragedy. The best practices, such as crossing at crosswalks, looking both ways before crossing a street, walking against traffic when not on a sidewalk, and wearing bright/reflective colored clothing, are all applicable to individuals walking, biking, and rolling.

Individuals cannot rely on a crystal ball, and distractions, such as those created by cell phones, increase the chance of becoming a victim of pedestrian crashes, injuries, and fatalities. DMV maintains crash data in which each number represents an individual person. The preceding three years indicate those individuals involved in pedestrian crashes. See the chart below.

Daily fatality reports indicate victims involved are of all races, genders, and ages throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Again, every victim/person had an identity. Several years of analysis indicate crash avoidance involves every individual being cognizant of their surroundings. The following chart shows the regional pedestrian crash data throughout Virginia.

The bottom line is that there is NO CRYSTAL BALL. You must be responsible and use caution while walking, jogging, exercising, or playing in and around roadways.