Dayton, OH – Every three years, the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC) analyzes crash data provided by the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio Department of Public Safety. The latest analysis identifies trends and locations with high frequency and severity of crashes for the years 2014 through 2016 in Montgomery, Miami, Greene, and northern Warren Counties.
“The analysis is the first step to understanding crash frequency and severity on the Region’s roadway network,” stated MVRPC’s Executive Director, Brian O. Martin, AICP. “The overall goal is to use the data to identify educational campaigns, enforcement options, and future roadway improvements all in an effort to reduce crashes.”
The crash analysis was presented to the Technical Advisory Committee and the Board of Directors at their April and May 2018 meetings respectively. For the 2014-2016 period, approximately 58,000 crashes were reported, including 205 fatal and 15,714 injury-causing crashes. Overall, there was a 13 percent increase in the total number of crashes over the previous period.
In accordance with the goals of the 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan, MVRPC will continue to work with regional partners to improve roadway operations and reduce crashes. In addition to our analyses, strategies, and safety campaigns, findings from the regional analysis will be used during the MVRPC project evaluation process to rank and prioritize future transportation projects and to inform decisions on the transportation safety performance measures as required by the FAST Act, the Federal transportation law passed by Congress in 2015.
Additional information can be found at: https://www.mvrpc.org/transportation/long-range-planning-lrtp/transportation-safety
Interesting crash-related conclusions were:
- 35% of fatalities involved alcohol (at least one driver had been drinking)
- A crash occurs every 27 minutes
- 40% of crashes involved a driver age 16 – 25 years old with that same age group leading the number of distracted driving crashes:
- 48% of distracted driving crashes were rear-end collisions; and
- 19% of distractions included a driver using a cellphone or texting.
- The number of crashes per million vehicle miles traveled was lower than the statewide average, but still higher than the national average.
The analysis also ranked intersections and roadway segments based on the frequency and severity of crashes. “The top 100 high-crash intersections, broken down by jurisdiction, were reviewed and in accordance with the goals of the 2040 Long Range Transportation Plan, MVRPC will continue to work with regional partners to improve roadway safety,” remarked Martin.
A summary of the crash data can be viewed at: https://www.mvrpc.org/transportation/transportation-safety/summary-crashes-2014-2016
A summary of the high-crash locations can be viewed at: https://www.mvrpc.org/transportation/transportation-safety/high-crash-locations
Established in 1964, the Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission promotes collaboration among communities, stakeholders, and residents to advance regional priorities. MVRPC is a forum and resource where the Board of Directors identifies priorities and develops public policy and collaborative strategies to improve quality of life throughout the Miami Valley Region. MVRPC performs various regional planning activities, including air quality, water quality, transportation, land use, research and GIS. As the designated Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), MVRPC is responsible for transportation planning in Greene, Miami and Montgomery Counties and parts of northern Warren County. MVRPC's areawide water quality planning designation encompasses five (5) counties: Darke, Preble plus the three MPO counties.
For more information regarding this analysis, contact Ana Ramirez, MVRPC’s Director of Long Range Planning & Engineering, at 937-223-6323.
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