Arkansas’s Roadway Fatalities Rise 11% Through June 2016

Noel Oman, in an Arkansas Democrat-Gazette article this morning, addresses the increasing number of Arkansas fatalities on our state’s roads.  Here’s a link to the article: https://digital.olivesoftware.com/Olive/ODN/ArDemocrat/PrintArticle.aspx?doc=ArDemocrat%2F2016%2F08%2F24&entity=ar00900

From 2004 to 2013, driving fatalities declined nationally.  However, driving fatalities rose nationally in 2014 and 2015 and that trend continues through June 2016.  Arkansas’s road deaths have followed a similar pattern as fatalities on the state’s roads have increased 27% when comparing statistics for January to June 2014 versus January to June 2016 and 11% when comparing statistics for January to June 2015 versus January to June 2016.

The National Safety Council’s recommendations to motorists and drivers are make sure passengers use their seat belts, designate alcohol- and drug-free drivers, get plenty of sleep and take breaks to avoid fatigue, never use a cellphone and monitor teen driving habits as teens are three times more likely to crash than experienced drivers.