Traffic Safety, A New Year’s Resolution For All

As with every new year, 2024 brings a fresh start and new resolutions for everyone. One of the best goals we can set for ourselves is to help make our roadways safer. As we look at the preliminary year-end totals found on the Connecticut Crash Data Repository (CTCDR), we find that 2023 saw a decrease in traffic fatalities compared to 2022. While this is a good step in the right direction, the number of people killed or seriously injured on our roadways was still far too high. As we move toward our goal of having zero traffic fatalities, there are many things we can personally do to help keep everyone safe. Let’s consider making it one of our resolutions to make all Connecticut roads safer in the New Year. Here are some tips for everyone to follow.

If you are operating a vehicle:

1. Always wear your seat belt. According to NHTSA, “It’s important to buckle up every trip, every time, no matter where you’re sitting in a vehicle, including the back seat. In 2021, nearly 60% of back seat passengers who were killed in a crash were unbuckled (based on known seat belt use).” Seatbelts save lives. It’s not just a slogan, it’s a fact!
   
   
2. Slow down and obey the speed limit. Speed limits are established to make sure that motorists can maintain control and safely maneuver their vehicle on the road. Speeding is a significant factor in a high percentage of fatal and serious injury crashes. Everyone can do their part to reduce these types of crashes by reducing their speeds, especially in inclement weather, and driving at a reasonable pace.
   
   
3. Do not drive while distracted. NHTSA defines distracted driving as “Any activity that diverts attention from driving, including talking or texting on your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, fiddling with the stereo, entertainment or navigation.” Furthermore, “Sending or reading a text takes your eyes off the road for 5 seconds. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of an entire football field with your eyes closed.” We all need to make a commitment to reducing distractions while driving and help ensure everyone arrives at their destination safely.
   
   
4. Commit to never driving while impaired. Every day, 37 people die from drunk driving related crashes nationally and every one of those collisions is preventable. To make sure you, your loved ones, and everyone on the roadways make it home safe, you can designate a driver or use one of the many rideshare services that are available. There is no excuse for driving impaired, so please don’t do it!
   

While drivers of vehicles have plenty to be mindful of to help increase roadway safety, pedestrians and bicyclists can do the following things to help keep everyone safe:

1. Pedestrians should always use sidewalks when they are available. Sidewalks allow for a separation between pedestrians and the roadway and are always the safest place to be. If there aren’t any sidewalks make sure to walk facing traffic and as far from the roadway as possible. According to initial reporting from the CTCDR, in 2023 there have been 56 fatal crashes involving bicyclists and pedestrians in Connecticut. Everyone needs to do their part to bring this number down to zero.
   
   
2. Pedestrians and bicyclists should obey all traffic signals. As a pedestrian, make sure to follow crosswalk signs and markings when crossing the street. If available, use the Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB). With new installations of RRFBs happening in CT, make sure to take advantage of the added safety afforded by these devices. Bicyclists should always use hand signals to make drivers aware of their intentions to stop or turn.
   
   
3. Be visible. Both pedestrians and bicyclists should wear reflective clothing to make themselves more visible to others. Also, pedestrians can carry a flashlight and try to walk in well-lit areas where available. Bicyclists should have lighting on their bicycles if they are operating in low light conditions. Anything you can do to allow other roadway users to see you and know that you are there will always increase safety.
   
   
4. Bicyclists should always wear a helmet. The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles reports that 74% of bicycle fatalities involve a head injury. Making sure you have a helmet that fits properly can help reduce serious injuries if you are involved in a crash. Just like with vehicles, making sure you have the right equipment in working order should be a priority.
   

While this short list of tips does not cover all the steps that we can take to increase roadway safety, it is a great starting point for a resolution that will help us all head toward zero traffic fatalities. For assistance with increasing traffic safety in your community, please contact the T2 Center Safety Circuit Rider Team Melissa Evans, Safety Circuit Rider, at melissa.evans@uconn.edu or Jason Hughes, Safety Technical Associate, at jason.hughes@uconn.edu. Have a happy and safe new year!

References:

NHTSA, Seat Belts Save Lives
NHTSA, Distracted Driving
NHTSA, Drunk Driving
Watch for Me CT, Watch for Pedestrians
CTDOT, Share the Road CT: Cyclists