It’s not even halfway through the year and Vermont is on track for a near-record amount of deadly car crashes.As of May 8, Vermont has had 14 total fatal crashes and 17 total individual fatalities, according to the Vermont Agency of Transportation.Those numbers are both on pace for the 2nd highest amount over the last 5 years in Vermont.Lt. Allen Fortin, from the Chittenden County Sherriff’s Office, said those numbers don’t surprise him, but they’re concerning.”Speed is a huge one. Also distracted driving and cellphone use,” Fortin said. “For example, one of our deputies got a car on the interstate at 101 mph. Speeds are just out of control. People need to slow down, get where they are going, and get where they are going safely. “Seven of those crashes involved the driver not wearing a seatbelt. Fortin said it’s a trend that’s followed from last year.”I think it was 62% of our fatalities didn’t have seatbelts on — that’s outrageous,” Fortin said.VTrans said alcohol was only a factor in one of the 2023 crashes so far.”Don’t Drink and Drive” is one message Joe Barch, owner of 802 Driving School, said people have done a better job of, but there are still too many other causes that are leading to accidents.”Sleep deprivation, the use of drugs, distractions, cell phone usage — those all are leaving to more involved in crashes than alcohol,” Barch said.When it comes to cellphone use while driving, Barch wants to get that message across to his students. He said interactive learning simulations, like having kids drive carts with a cellphone in their hand, helps show them how dangerous it is to be distracted behind the wheel.”I think they’re surprised that they can’t,” Barch said. “They think they can do everything. They walk away thinking, ‘I’m a much worst driver if I don’t give it my full attention.'”Dan Goodman, New England AAA public affairs manager for New Hampshire and Vermont, said having teens realize that earlier is the way to change those statistics in the future.”Enforcement, Education, and Engineering. That really changes driver behavior,” Goodman said.Fortin is hosting an event next Monday to discuss the importance of buckling up.In addition to state officials from both Vermont and New York speaking, there will be a “Battle of the Belts” featuring students, who will compete in this fun and educational competition.Press conference location: Korean War Veterans Fishing Access: 3428 US Route 2 N, Alburgh, VT Date/time: Monday, May 22, 2023 at 10:30 a.m.Email Fortin with any questions: Allen.Fortin@vermont.gov.
It’s not even halfway through the year and Vermont is on track for a near-record amount of deadly car crashes.
As of May 8, Vermont has had 14 total fatal crashes and 17 total individual fatalities, according to the Vermont Agency of Transportation.
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Those numbers are both on pace for the 2nd highest amount over the last 5 years in Vermont.
Lt. Allen Fortin, from the Chittenden County Sherriff’s Office, said those numbers don’t surprise him, but they’re concerning.
“Speed is a huge one. Also distracted driving and cellphone use,” Fortin said. “For example, one of our deputies got a car on the interstate at 101 mph. Speeds are just out of control. People need to slow down, get where they are going, and get where they are going safely. “
Seven of those crashes involved the driver not wearing a seatbelt.
Fortin said it’s a trend that’s followed from last year.
“I think it was 62% of our fatalities didn’t have seatbelts on — that’s outrageous,” Fortin said.
VTrans said alcohol was only a factor in one of the 2023 crashes so far.
“Don’t Drink and Drive” is one message Joe Barch, owner of 802 Driving School, said people have done a better job of, but there are still too many other causes that are leading to accidents.
“Sleep deprivation, the use of drugs, distractions, cell phone usage — those all are leaving to more involved in crashes than alcohol,” Barch said.
When it comes to cellphone use while driving, Barch wants to get that message across to his students.
He said interactive learning simulations, like having kids drive carts with a cellphone in their hand, helps show them how dangerous it is to be distracted behind the wheel.
“I think they’re surprised that they can’t,” Barch said. “They think they can do everything. They walk away thinking, ‘I’m a much worst driver if I don’t give it my full attention.'”
Dan Goodman, New England AAA public affairs manager for New Hampshire and Vermont, said having teens realize that earlier is the way to change those statistics in the future.
“Enforcement, Education, and Engineering. That really changes driver behavior,” Goodman said.
Fortin is hosting an event next Monday to discuss the importance of buckling up.
In addition to state officials from both Vermont and New York speaking, there will be a “Battle of the Belts” featuring students, who will compete in this fun and educational competition.
Press conference location: Korean War Veterans Fishing Access: 3428 US Route 2 N, Alburgh, VT
Date/time: Monday, May 22, 2023 at 10:30 a.m.
Email Fortin with any questions: Allen.Fortin@vermont.gov.
