Delaware - Fatal Car Crash Statistics
Delaware is one of the smallest states with a total population of only 945,934 in 2015. That same year the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) reported a total of 122 fatal crashes resulting in 126 deaths. This data is provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS). The number of fatalities by population for Delaware in 2015 was 13.3 per 100,000 people.
About half (53%) of fatal car accidents were the result of single vehicle crashes, which is about equal to the national average of 55%. 47% of crashes occurred because of multi-vehicle accidents. Roughly half of the accidents happened in rural areas and half in urban areas. Motor vehicle crash deaths are categorized by type. In 2015 39% of deadly accidents were in cars, 12% in pickup trucks or SUVs, 2% in large trucks, 14% were motorcyclists, 28% pedestrians, and 2% bicyclists.
Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) has summarized fatal crash statistics to compare 2016 and 2017. In the period between January 1 and July 1, there were 67 traffic fatalities in 2016. In comparison, the number of deaths for the same period in 2017 was 46. It is important to note that the 2017 numbers are preliminary because some investigations are incomplete.
Recent Accidents in Delaware
Several deadly crashes have occurred in Delaware over this year. Two of the crashes happened in July 2017.
- Fatal Crash into Delaware Animal Shelter, July 9, 2017. A woman was killed when she lost control of her vehicle and hit into an animal shelter.
- Multi-vehicle crash in Prices Corner, Delaware, February 15, 2017. Two vehicles traveling in the same direction on the highway crashed resulting in one death.
- One person killed after a vehicle lost control and hit another, July 4, 2017. A driver lost control and ran into another vehicle causing one death.
There are many reasons for fatal auto crashes. The police investigate all fatal accidents to try to determine the cause. Accidents are reported through the Department of Transportation where data is collected and reported.
Delaware Office of Highway Safety Programs
OHS offers programs and initiatives to improve safety and reduce injuries and deaths due to vehicle crashes. They offer information on aggressive driving, distracted driving, impaired driving, occupant protection, bicycle safety, motorcycle safety and teen drivers. These are all issues that have been found to be the cause of some fatal crashes in the state. Of the traffic deaths reported for 2017, 19 were alcohol or drug related, 11 did not wear seatbelts, 6 were motorcyclists, 15 were pedestrians, and 3 were bicyclists. Safety programs are aimed at informing the public about the most common causes of fatal accidents and how they can be avoided.