Only 45 motor vehicle deaths in 2015, RIDOT reports

February 23, 2016 1:45 pm

By: Elisha Kay Aldrich

There were only 45 motor vehicle deaths in 2015, according to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation. The data is the lowest recorded figure to date, with numbers steadily declining since 2010. The number is also below the national average.

“One life lost is too many. One life equates to one family. One family equates to an entire community. Saving lives and reducing serious injuries remains a very important priority component of the work we do at RIDOT,” said RIDOT Director Peter Alviti, Jr.

Statistics have shown a decline in the number of motor vehicle fatalities for the past five years. In 2013, there were 65 fatalities, while in 2014 there were 51.

“The success of our highway safety goal to eliminate fatal crashes and serious injuries statewide relies on our collaboration with several stakeholder and state leaders,” said Rhode Island State Police Colonel Steven O’Donnell.

RIDOT’s statistics also show that the majority of victims were motor vehicle occupants. Nine were riding motorcycles and eight were pedestrians. Seat belts played a huge role in the number of fatalities – 57 percent of those who died were unbuckled.

Another concern for RIDOT is distracted driving and texting in particular. Texting while driving is reported to be a factor in 25 percent of motor vehicle crashes nationwide. Drivers talking on their phones face a lofty 300 percent increase in their risk of getting into an accident. Texting is even riskier; drivers are 2,400 times more likely to crash their car while texting.

Impaired driving, those who are driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, accounts for nearly a third of the highway fatalities last year. RIDOT, partnered with the Rhode Island State Police, has launched the Impaired Driving Prevention Alliance. The alliance seeks to create a coalition with members from the law enforcement, transportation, health and other communities, with the goal of having zero fatalities related to impaired driving.

“The bottom line,” Alviti added, “is that crashes caused by driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol are 100 percent preventable.”