Road Fatalities Decrease in 2023 from 2022 High

137 fatalities were recorded on Delaware roads in 2023, a 16 percent decrease from 2022 when 164 fatalities occurred.

Fatalities were down across all modes of transportation with a 13 percent reduction in pedestrian fatalities; 29 percent reduction in bicyclist fatalities; and a 32 percent reduction in motorcyclist fatalities from last year.

“Reducing fatalities on our roads has been a primary focus of DelDOT and our partner agencies and there is more work to do. We are working every day to make our roads safer for everyone,” said Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski.

“We all have a responsibility for safety on our roads, whether we are traveling by car, public transit, on foot, or bike,” said Governor John Carney. “Paying attention, obeying speed limits and planning sober rides all make a difference. Let’s continue the trend so we can avoid these preventable tragedies.”

“While we are encouraged by the overall decline in traffic fatalities, substantial work remains ahead. As we acknowledge this progress, let it reinforce the potential impact achievable through collective action. Let’s continue to prioritize safety and promote responsible driving habits. Together, we can forge a future where our roads become safer and secure for everyone,” stated Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Nathaniel McQueen, Jr.”

“To achieve the goal of having zero fatalities on our roads, we are taking steps to form meaningful partnerships and actively engage within the community to spread our safety message more effectively,” said Sharon Bryson, Director, Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS). “Additionally, OHS will continue to work closely with our traffic safety partners and state and local law enforcement to provide additional enforcement, distribute educational materials, and raise awareness to keep the number of fatalities down. By working together, we can make Delaware roadways safer for everyone to arrive alive.”

DelDOT, Delaware State Police, and the Office of Highway Safety will be holding a safety summit on April 17, 2024, at the Chase Center in Wilmington to discuss ongoing efforts and new initiatives to address crashes and fatalities on Delaware roads.

Three fatalities have occurred on Delaware roads to date in 2024.


Teenager Arrested for Attempted Carjacking

A Delaware Natural Resources Police investigation has lead to the arrest of a 16-year-old male of Wilmington, DE, on a charge of attempted carjacking at Bellevue State Park.

On Thursday, Sept. 07, 2023, at approximately 3:30 p.m., officers responded to the main parking lot of Bellevue State Park following 911 calls reporting an attempted carjacking. When officers arrived, they learned that the 67-year-old victim of Wilmington, Del., was approached by a teenage male. The suspect pointed a handgun at the victim and demanded the keys to their vehicle, at which time the victim complied and dropped the keys. The suspect then entered the vehicle, but quickly fled on foot after the victim began yelling for help. Officers from Delaware Natural Resources Police, Delaware State Police and New Castle County Police searched the area but were unable to locate the suspect. During the investigation, the suspect was found to have been captured on security cameras in the area. These images assisted officers in positively identifying the suspect.

An arrest warrant was issued for the suspect with the following crimes:

  • Robbery First Degree (Class B Felony)
  • Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Class B Felony)
  • Possess, Purchase, Own or Control a Firearm/Destructive Weapon If Previously Convicted of A Violent Felony (Class C Felony)
  • Aggravated Menacing (Class E Felony)

On Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, the suspect was located and taken into custody by Wilmington Police officers following a traffic stop. The suspect was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 11 and committed to Ferris Juvenile Detention Center on a $100,000 cash bond.

About DNREC
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities and educates Delawareans about the environment. The DNREC Division of Parks and Recreation oversees more than 26,000 acres in 17 state parks and the Brandywine Zoo. For more information, visit the website and connect with @DelawareDNREC on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contacts: Captain John McDerby, john.mcderby@delaware.gov

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DelDOT Reminds Public to Travel Safely this Holiday Weekend

As the Memorial Day weekend approaches, DelDOT is reminding the public to expect crowded roads as AAA projects more than 42 million people nationally will travel 50 miles or more from home this holiday weekend.

“Thousands of people will be visiting Delaware’s beaches and parks or traveling to see family and friends and we encourage everyone to put safety first whether traveling by car, bike, or on foot,” said Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski.

There have been 63 fatalities on Delaware roads to date this year, an increase of nearly 10 percent from the same time last year. In 2022, there were three fatalities on Delaware roads over Memorial Day weekend and more than 100 people were injured because of crashes.

The Delaware State Police will be actively enforcing traffic laws throughout the holiday weekend. Motorists should anticipate more traffic volume on the roads and buckle up, slow down, drive sober and attentively and be cautious for motorcycles, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Motorcyclists and bicyclists should wear helmets and follow the rules of the road, and pedestrians should only cross roads at designated areas and wear reflective items if walking at night.

Travelers looking to take a break can visit the Biden Welcome Center on I-95 in Newark and the Chauncey O. Simpson Memorial Rest Area adjacent to Route 1 and Route 13 in Smyrna which will both be open to visitors.

At the Delaware Beaches, DART First State’s Beach Bus routes are now operating daily with increased frequencies, early morning to late night, through Sunday, Sept. 10. The routes serve Rehoboth Beach and the Rehoboth boardwalk, Lewes, Long Neck, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, South Bethany Beach, Fenwick Island, Ocean City, Md., Millsboro, and Georgetown. All buses are ADA-accessible and equipped with bike racks. Information on these the Beach Bus routes can be found here.


DelDOT Pilots Wrong Way Driving Alert System

The Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) has recently installed a wrong way driving detection and alert system on the Exit 95 off-ramp from SR 1 northbound to Bay Road and SR 10 (E Lebanon Road) near the Dover Air Force Base North Gate. The alert system is the first of its kind in Delaware to alert and correct wrong way drivers before they enter the highway.

When a wrong way vehicle is detected, red lights will flash on the Do Not Enter and Wrong Way signs facing the wrong way driver. The flashing lights are intended to alert the driver that they are traveling in the wrong direction and should turn around immediately. The two cameras included within the system will allow DelDOT’s 24/7 Transportation Management Center to dispatch Delaware State Police and post messages on variable message signs to alert motorists on northbound SR 1 to a possible wrong way driver.

In 2022, Delaware experienced a sharp increase in fatal wrong way driving crashes from years prior, with seven fatal crashes claiming 12 lives. As such, DelDOT has been working to implement improvements statewide to deter wrong way entries onto highways, including enhanced signing and pavement markings at freeway entrance ramps to provide ample warning of wrong way travel.

The project at this location is a pilot to test Intelligent Transportation System equipment designed to deter wrong way entries onto highways. DelDOT will monitor this system to determine the number of detected wrong way entry attempts and determine its effectiveness.

“We are working every day to make our roads safer. Every second counts when a vehicle enters a road and travels in the wrong direction and we will look to expand this system to other locations across the state should it prove to be a successful deterrent,” said Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski.

Colonel Melissa Zebley, Superintendent of the Delaware State Police added, “Collisions resulting from wrong-way drivers are often catastrophic and deadly. The Delaware State Police are not strangers to these dangers as our agency has investigated numerous collisions, and tragically lost troopers stemming from wrong-way drivers. I’m thankful for our partnership with DelDOT, as we employ technology to increase highway safety in Delaware.”


Delaware Traffic Fatalities Reach 2021 Total

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, Delaware now has 139 traffic fatalities, reaching last year’s total of 139, the highest number since 2006.

“Thousands of Delawareans will take to the roads in the coming days and weeks to visit friends and family near and far and no matter your destination, we remind drivers to put their safety and that of those around them first,” said Secretary of Transportation Nicole Majeski.

In 2021, there were 33 fatalities that occurred in November and December.

The number of fatalities on our roadways is tragic and heartbreaking. The Office of Highway Safety recently launched its “Safe Family Holiday” campaign to address the leading causes of holiday crashes in Delaware: driving under the influence, speeding, distracted driving, and pedestrian safety and encourages Delawareans to make responsible choices on our roadways,” said Kimberly Chesser, Director of the Delaware Office of Highway Safety. “During the holidays people tend to get wrapped up in celebrations and activities and relax their safe driving behaviors. Drivers are reminded of poor winter weather conditions, increased holiday traffic, and more pedestrian activity, meaning more dangerous conditions that require your full attention behind the wheel.”

Drugs and alcohol were contributing factors in 36 percent of fatal crashes last year and serves as a reminder to drive sober.

“We must all work together to prevent and eliminate crashes leading to serious injuries and deaths in our State. Safety is our number one priority. We strongly encourage everyone to slow down, avoid distractions behind the wheel and be on the lookout for people walking and biking. It is imperative we all take an active role to protect each other,” said Safety and Homeland Security Secretary Nathaniel McQueen, Jr.

More than 8,200 people were also seriously injured in crashes in 2021.

However you plan to travel this holiday season, please do so safely and don’t become a statistic.