With summer over and school back in session, the Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) is reminding motorists to drive safe this fall and save a life by buckling up and slowing down on Delaware roadways.

What you need to know

Did you know that Delaware crash data for this year suggests that speed and improper seat belt use are major contributors in the number of fatalities this year? And the numbers are up. It’s mid-October, and the number of traffic deaths this year has already exceeded the total number of people killed last year on Delaware roadways.

From January 1 through October 17, there have been 102 traffic fatalities in Delaware.

• Sixty seven (67) were vehicle occupants. 42% were not wearing a seat belt.
• Aggressive driving behaviors, like speeding, contributed to 37% of the crashes to date this year.
• In 2013, 40% of the unbelted crashes happened on a Saturday or Sunday.  Saturday is also the most common day for speed-related fatal crashes and Friday has the highest number of speed-related injury crashes.

What you can do

Even one life lost on our roadways is one too many. In an effort to prevent more deaths, OHS has put a new campaign in place that will focus on proper seat belt use and slowing down.

Campaign dates: October 3^rd – 26^th and November 26^th – December 31^st.

• Enforcement:   Police will be looking for speeding drivers and anyone unrestrained or improperly restrained in vehicles. Remember, for a seat belt to be effective and save a life, it must be worn properly with the lap belt low and snug across the hips and the shoulder harness worn across the shoulder and chest with minimal slack.
• Public outreach: OHS has launched a contest on the OHS Facebook page www.facebook.com/ArriveAliveDE to engage the public about buckling up and slowing down. There will be one puzzle per week during October and December with weekly prizes, including an AAA membership and a guided tour of Dover Air Force Base’s AMC Museum.

For more information, visit www.ohs.delaware.gov. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DEHighwaySafe and Facebook www.facebook.com/ArriveAliveDE.

Drive Safe. Arrive Alive DE.

Did you know that 4 out of every 5 car seats are not installed properly? For caregivers, it’s not always easy to know how to correctly secure a child in a car seat, or how to fit the seat into the car. That’s why Delaware is joining the rest of the nation to promote awareness during National Child Passenger Safety Week, September 14-20.

What you need to know

Car crashes are a leading cause of death for children 1 to 13 years old. Many times deaths and injuries can be prevented by proper use of car seats, boosters, and seat belts. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shares these facts:

• Every 34 seconds one child, under age 13, is involved in a crash.
• In 2012, over one third (37%) of children killed in car crashes were not in car seats, booster seats, or seat belts.
• 1/3 of kids aged 8-14 killed in crashes were riding in the front seat. All children under age 13 should ride in the back seat.

What you can do

To celebrate Child Passenger Safety Week, OHS is offering two opportunities statewide for families to get their car seats checked for free. Both are free and open to the public with no appointment needed. During these events, certified technicians will check your car seat and distribute important information on child passenger safety including tip sheets, how to register your car seat, and where to find car seat fitting stations.  Plus, Buckle Bear will be in attendance for the kids.

• Friday, Sept. 19, 2014 from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm @ Christiana Care Hospital Maternity Department.
• Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014 from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm @ Dover DMV.

Fitting stations are conveniently located statewide and staffed by certified child passenger safety technicians who will inspect the car seat for correct installation and show you how to properly position your child in the seat.  To learn more, please go to www.safercar.gov

Buckle Up. Arrive Alive DE.

Do you have plans to take a road trip this summer? Perhaps you will take in some of the local attractions, visit the beaches, or spend time with family and friends. No matter where you go or what you do, always remember to drive safely. The life you save may be your own.

What you need to know

Driving too fast, failing to yield the right of way to others, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are common causes of crashes in the first state. These crashes are preventable. Did you know:

• To date, Delaware has seen a 22% increase in fatal crashes and traffic deaths are up 25% over 2013.
• Single car crashes and single motorcycle crashes account for nearly half of all fatal crashes in 2014.

What you can do

It is typical during the summer months to see an increase in motorists on the highways, and consequently, an increase in traffic crashes. At OHS, we feel that even one death on our roads is too many.   To stay safe and arrive alive, follow these simple tips every time you get behind the wheel:

• Check your speed. Plan your route in advance and be prepared to spend more time reaching your destination rather than speeding to get there faster.
• Obey intersection safety rules. Motorcycle, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic also increases during the summer. Traffic signals and stop signs are in place to maintain safe roadways for drivers, passengers and pedestrians sharing the road.
• Buckle up. All passengers in the vehicle should use seat belts to keep them safe in the event of a crash.
• If you are drinking, do not drive. Designate a non-drinking driver or plan for alternate transportation.

For more information visit www.ohs.delaware.gov. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DEHighwaySafe and Facebook www.facebook.com/ArriveAliveDE. And for updated information on checkpoints in your area, text Checkpoint to 99000.

Drive Safe. Arrive Alive DE.

It only takes a few minutes on the highway to know that people drive in all different ways.  Some drive fast.  Some drive slow.  Some choose to follow the rules of the road, while others do not.  Today, OHS is asking …what do you think about the way that you drive?

Get the Facts

Driving is serious business, but for most of us, it has been many years since we sat behind the wheel for the first time. Do you remember the things that you learned in Driver’s Ed class?  Though laws change, the basics of safe driving behavior are the same now as they were then.

• Buckle Up.  It’s the first thing you should do when you get in the car each and every time.  Day and Night.
• Drive Sober.   Never get behind the wheel when you are impaired by drugs or alcohol.  Period.
• Share the Road.  Be aware of what is going on around you.  Look and listen for motorcycles.  And remember to always look twice when changing lanes and pulling out from a stop.
• Don’t be That Guy.   Don’t turn into the aggressive person who speeds, runs red lights, and weaves through traffic.  Practice patience behind the wheel.  And always obey the posted speed limit and traffic signs.
• Watch for Pedestrians.  Everywhere you go, keep your eyes open for people walking near the roadway. Never assume that they will wait for you to pass.  Always be ready to stop.

OHS wants to know your views on traffic safety throughout the state by taking this short, anonymous survey.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/OHS2013Survey

As our way of saying “thank you”, you may submit your name and contact information at the end of the survey for a chance to win 2 tickets to one of the 3 races in September at the Monster Mile, OHS Drive Sober team racing apparel (hats, shirts, lanyards, etc.), or tickets to Firefly 2014!

Drive Safe.  Arrive Alive DE.

This message is being sent to you by the Office of Highway Safety, who asks you to drive safely at all times.  For more information on this and other traffic safety programs, go to www.ohs.delaware.gov.  

Ever experienced a close call?  Perhaps someone ran a red light or made an improper turn in front of your vehicle.  Ever had someone ride too close to your bumper?  What if you did not have the safety of a seat belt, air bag, and crumple zones when these aggressive driving behaviors happen around you.  Now imagine the risks that motorcyclists take, even when wearing their full complement of protective gear.

What you need to know

• To date, there have been 10 motorcycle fatalities (18% of the total fatalities).
• This year, to date, 8 of the 10 motorcyclists killed were wearing helmets.
• The average age of the person killed on in a motorcycle crash is 46.

What you can do

OHS would like to remind you that safe driving behaviors are the same whether you are driving a car, truck, or motorcycle:

• Always look twice before turning into traffic.
• Be vigilant when changing lanes.
• Be aware of blind spots.
• Keep a safe distance from other vehicles.
• Always follow the posted speed limits.
• Use proper lane position.
• Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Wear all appropriate safety gear – Seat belts for motorists and proper riding gear for motorcyclists.
• For all who share the road, if you see someone who is driving or riding in an unsafe manner, pull over out of the way if possible, and call 911.

Tell us what you think about traffic safety in Delaware by taking part in our annual survey:   https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/OHSDriverBehaviorSurvey

Share the Road.  Arrive Alive DE.

This message is being sent to you the Office of Highway Safety, who asks you to drive safely at all times.  For more information on this and other traffic safety programs, go to www.ohs.delaware.gov.