Injury and fatal collisions up in 2011
TRI-CITIES -- Whether you're having alcohol or not, Superbowl Sunday is still a day full of traffic and Collisions. Action News found out that fatality and injury car crashes are on the rise. We learned there was a 20% spike in fatality collisions in 2011. Melanie Tubbs looked deeper into which intersections in the Tri-Cities were the most dangerous for drivers. Garrick Durflinger has lived near the intersection of 7th and 395 for a decade. In that time, he's seen the number accidents get progressively worse, mainly because drivers take a U-turn without looking.
Garrick tells KEPR, "When I try to take a right on 395, I gotta slam on my brakes and make sure I don't hit them."
Garrick's intersection saw several car crashes last year. This map shows the roadways with the most collisions in 2011.Be extra alert on 240 E. Near the mall. Another problem spot is on 182 going over the blue bridge because so many people are merging and changing lanes. 182 between Broadmoor and 68 also saw a lot of collisions mainly due to speed. I pulled the numbers and learned car crashes are up here in the Tri-Cities with 70 more accidents happening last year than in 2010. At the same time, fatal crashes were up too.. going from 19 to 25. State Patrol is currently short of troopers, but is doing what it can to keep you safe.
"About three or four, I always see them all the time, parked patrolling that intersection."
Troopers tell KEPR more accidents like this are happening simply because of drivers not paying attention to the road. They hope by having a bigger presence in the problem areas they can get drivers to take a second look at the spedometer. But that doesn't mean they are just there for show. Troopers are determined to lower the number of injuries and fatalities.
"You're not gonna get a warning because we need to change their habits." say Trooper Brandt.
And for Garrick, he sees it as a safer intersection for the future, instead of it getting worse.
"I've got kids driving now, I don't want them to get in an accident. That really scared me knowing how bad that intersection is."
State budget crisis and huge population growth has less troopers on the road overall.
Garrick tells KEPR, "When I try to take a right on 395, I gotta slam on my brakes and make sure I don't hit them."
Garrick's intersection saw several car crashes last year. This map shows the roadways with the most collisions in 2011.Be extra alert on 240 E. Near the mall. Another problem spot is on 182 going over the blue bridge because so many people are merging and changing lanes. 182 between Broadmoor and 68 also saw a lot of collisions mainly due to speed. I pulled the numbers and learned car crashes are up here in the Tri-Cities with 70 more accidents happening last year than in 2010. At the same time, fatal crashes were up too.. going from 19 to 25. State Patrol is currently short of troopers, but is doing what it can to keep you safe.
"About three or four, I always see them all the time, parked patrolling that intersection."
Troopers tell KEPR more accidents like this are happening simply because of drivers not paying attention to the road. They hope by having a bigger presence in the problem areas they can get drivers to take a second look at the spedometer. But that doesn't mean they are just there for show. Troopers are determined to lower the number of injuries and fatalities.
"You're not gonna get a warning because we need to change their habits." say Trooper Brandt.
And for Garrick, he sees it as a safer intersection for the future, instead of it getting worse.
"I've got kids driving now, I don't want them to get in an accident. That really scared me knowing how bad that intersection is."
State budget crisis and huge population growth has less troopers on the road overall.
More to Explore
Learn about changes coming to commenting