DOVER, Del. (December 26, 2024) – The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS), Delaware State Police, and local law enforcement are partnering to conduct a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Checkpoint on Friday, December 27, 2024, in the Smyrna area.

“Checkpoint enforcements are not just about arrests or writing tickets. They are also an opportunity to inform and educate the community on safe and sober driving habits,” says Sharon Bryson, Director, Delaware Office of Highway Safety. “If you feel different you drive different. By making a plan and choosing to get a sober ride home, we can help save lives. We all have a shared responsibility to keep Delaware roadways safe.”

A DUI can have devastating consequences with the worst outcomes being fatality and/or serious injuries. A DUI can cost an average of $10,000 in court costs, fines, attorney fees, car towing and repairs, lost time at work, higher insurance rates, and more. It could also result in the loss of your license and possibly even your job.

“Ensuring the safety of Delaware’s roadways is a responsibility we all share,” said Lieutenant India Sturgis, Director of Public Information for the Delaware State Police. “DUI checkpoints remain a key part of our strategy to combat impaired driving. It is critical to make responsible decisions. If you drink, please do not drive. If you see someone making a risky decision, please speak up.  By working together, we can reduce the risks and protect lives on our roads.”

Enjoy the winter holidays responsibly. Make a plan, be an example, and discourage your friends and loved ones from driving under the influence. We all have a shared responsibility to keep our roadways safe and help make sure we can all Arrive Alive.

About the Delaware Office of Highway Safety
The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is committed to improving the safety of Delaware’s motoring public by focusing on behavioral traffic safety issues, such as impaired driving, seat belt use, speeding, child passenger safety, pedestrian and bicycle safety, motorcycle safety, and teen driving issues. FAQs can be found at ArriveAliveDE.com. Follow OHS on the Delaware Office of Highway Safety website, Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram.

Media Contact:
Delaware Office Of Highway Safety
Meghan Niddrie
Meghan.Niddrie@Delaware.gov
302-535-1031

National Slow Down Move Over Day occurs on the third Saturday of every October to remind drivers to slow down and move over when an emergency vehicle is on the side of the road. Across our state, there have already been 54 incidents to date involving vehicles striking DelDOT equipment and personnel, a near-record number. There were 57 incidents recorded in all of 2021.

“Unsafe driving is jeopardizing the lives of DelDOT employees and contractors and it is unacceptable,” said Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski. “Slowing down and moving over is the simplest action all drivers can take to prevent an avoidable tragedy involving a first responder.”

Of the 54 incidents that have occurred, 11 have resulted in employee injuries.

On September 19, 2024, Governor John Carney signed House Bill 329 into law, increasing penalties for drivers who fail to move over and stating that a driver who is unable to safely yield the right of way must slow to at least 20 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit.

“The only acceptable number of roadway fatalities is zero. Everyone on the road deserves to make it home safely,” said Sharon Bryson, Director, Delaware Office of Highway Safety. “Seeing so many tragedies on Delaware roadways is devastating. By slowing down and moving over, we can help prevent roadside deaths.”

As the new year school year begins, the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) reminds all road users for the need for caution and awareness.

More than 142,000 children are enrolled in schools across the state and we want all of them to get to and from school safely each day whether they are walking, riding a bus or bike, or being dropped off.

“There were 214 crashes statewide involving school buses in 2023, a 33 percent increase from 2022,” said Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski. “Please slow down in school zones, follow the directions of crossing guards, and remember a full stop is always required when approaching a stopped school bus from the rear or from the front when the roadway is less than 4 lanes.”

DelDOT also has a Safe Routes to School program that assists elementary and middle schools with safety education for children that walk or bike to school. Tragically, a student waiting to cross at a crosswalk after school was killed in New Castle County in May. Let’s all do our part to prevent any more tragedies and Be DelAWARE when on our roads.

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) in partnership with the Delaware State Police announce that beginning Monday, July 8, 2024, the Electronic Speed Safety Program (ESSP) will be active in the I-95/Route 896 construction zone in Newark and will last until the end of the project.

The first 21 days of the program will be a warning period. After the warning period, registered vehicle owners receiving a first offense will receive a base violation of $20.00 and an additional amount is added for each mile per hour over the posted work zone speed limit in accordance with Del. C. §4169(c).

For example, if the captured violation occurs at a speed of 66 mph, the speed violation is $20.00 plus an additional $11.00 which accounts for $1.00 for each mile per hour over the 55-mph posted work zone speed limit, and the assessment of other fees as set forth in Delaware Code for a total of $118.00. Second and subsequent offenses are higher, per Delaware Code. These violations are civil penalties only and no points will be assessed to drivers’ licenses.

The pilot ESSP program took place on I-95 in Wilmington from January 2022 – November 2022 during the Restore the Corridor project. Data from that pilot program showed a 46 percent decrease in total crashes and a 38 percent decrease in injury crashes compared to the same time period in 2021 when construction was also occurring. Overall speeds through the construction zone decreased by more than 5 mph on average after the program began.

Governor John Carney signed a bill in 2023 creating the codified Electronic Speed Safety Program that will now be utilized by DelDOT.

“The I-95/896 interchange project is currently the largest infrastructure project in the state with hundreds of people working in the area. While there thankfully have not been any crashes that have injured workers, we continue to see too many crashes involving vehicles traveling through the work zone. The Electronic Speed Safety Program has shown it reduces speeds, crashes, and improves safety for workers and everyone traveling through the area,” said Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski.

More information about the project can be found at 95896improvements.com.

Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski was joined by representatives of the Delaware State Police and AAA Mid-Atlantic on Monday at the 95/896 interchange project to call attention to the importance of safe driving in our work zones across the state.

National Work Zone Awareness Week is held each April at the traditional start of construction season, when the number of workers on our nation’s roadways increases. The theme of this year’s work zone awareness campaign is, “Become a hero toward zero, their lives depend on it.” The campaign features DelDOT workers who put their lives on the line daily as they work within active traffic maintaining Delaware roads.

“Sadly, we have had 22 fatalities over the past three years involving the traveling public in work zones and there have been close calls with employees that have resulted in injuries,” said DelDOT Secretary Nicole Majeski. “We would like everyone to join the Be DelAWARE campaign to help us increase safety for everyone on our roads.”

Major Jason Sapp of the Delaware State Police added, “The Delaware State Police is committed to focused presence and when necessary, enforcement in work zones throughout the State of Delaware. Work zones are inherently dangerous locations not only for those working in them but also for those motorists and passengers attempting to navigate them. Just a little bit of extra attention is really all that is needed to recognize you are entering a work zone so that you can decelerate and take the appropriate steps to maximize safety through responsible driving behaviors.”

Although highway workers are often among the victims of such crashes, it’s important for drivers to understand that four out of five victims of work zone crashes are drivers or their passengers. Generally, crashes occur when drivers speed through a work zone or do not pay attention to the changing road conditions and run into other vehicles, highway equipment or safety barriers, or drive off the roadway completely. In a typical five-day work week, an average of seven motorists and one worker are killed nationwide. The primary causes of work zone crashes are following too closely and inattentive driving.

The National Work Zone Awareness Week began in 1999, when the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), and the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) signed a Memorandum of Agreement pledging to increase public awareness of work zone safety issues through a national media campaign. Since then, awareness has continued to grow, with state agencies and other organizations sponsoring high-visibility education and outreach initiatives.

Some simple tips for improving work zone safety include:
* When you see the “orange and black,” be extra cautious.
* Warning signs will let you know what to expect.
* Barrels or cones will delineate your path of travel.
* Flag persons will help direct you along the way.
* Avoid distractions.
* Don’t tailgate.
* Don’t change lanes.
* Reduce speed when approaching toll booths.
* Slow down and expect the unexpected.

For complete Delaware work zone statistics check out the Delaware Strategic Highway Safety Plan at: https://deldot.gov/Programs/DSHSP/index.shtml?dc=work_zone_safety

The United States Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration has also developed a Work Zone Safety webpage highlighting the statistics for the frequency and severity work zone crashes:
FHWA Work Zone Facts and Statistics – FHWA Office of Operations (dot.gov)