After a deadly year on Delaware roads, 2023 began in a similarly grim fashion when one of two pedestrians hit by a car in Wilmington died, marking the state’s first traffic fatality of the year.
Wilmington Police confirmed to Delaware Online/The News Journal the man’s death on Tuesday but did not identify the man beyond saying he was a 30-year-old man.
The man’s death comes after a record-tying year of traffic fatalities in Delaware. The state had 165 traffic deaths last year, matching an all-time high set in 1988.
Traffic fatalities:Delaware’s 2022 traffic fatalities reported 165 deaths, tying a record set in 1988
How are Delaware officials trying to stop the fatalities?
As the number of last year’s traffic fatalities inched closer to the 1988 record, state officials launched the “Safe Family Holiday” campaign that increased statewide enforcement of impaired driving, speeding, seat belt use, distracted driving and pedestrian safety. The state also increased paid media and social media outreach efforts, as well as partnered with groups to promote traffic safety messages.
Despite the campaign, which ended on New Year’s weekend, Delaware tied the 34-year-old record.
Delaware State Police and the state Office of Highway Safety earlier this week announced a new campaign targeting speeding motorists.
While not providing details on how the new campaign can help reduce traffic fatalities, police on social media said they are starting a “zero-tolerance speed initiative.”
“We are informing the public that you will see increased police presence on our deadliest roads starting this month, and speeding will NOT be tolerated,” Delaware State Police said on Facebook and Twitter. “Please Slow Down so we all Arrive Alive!”
A breakdown of factors contributing to last year’s traffic fatalities is not yet available. But speeding was a contributing circumstance in 16 of the 134 traffic fatalities that occurred in 2021, according to that year’s Delaware Annual Traffic Statistical Report — the most recent year available.
That was the third most common cause attributed to traffic fatalities that year in Delaware. The state’s most common fatal crash that year were those involving pedestrians, with Delaware reporting 23.
Across the nation more than 6,500 people were struck and killed while walking in 2020 — nearly 18 per day, according to a report issued last year by Smart Growth America, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit advocacy organization.
The 4.5% increase over 2019 is part of a growing trend the group attributes to streets designed to primarily move vehicles quickly at the expense of keeping everyone safe. Early estimates from the Governors Highway Safety Association, according to Smart Growth America, are that 7,485 people walking were struck and killed in 2021, making it the highest number in 40 years and one of the biggest single-year jumps in decades — between 11% and 13% in one year.
The result in 2020 was a significant increase in all traffic fatalities, even with less driving overall due to the pandemic, according to the report, which found Delaware to be the fifth most dangerous state for pedestrians from 2016 through 2020.
Delaware said it is working on improving roadway safety designs.
“The safety of our most vulnerable roadway users, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists continues to be an area of focus for the department,” said Charles “C.R.” McLeod, a spokesperson for the Delaware Department of Transportation. “We are investing millions of dollars in our Bike and Pedestrian Program over the next six years to improve safety with projects that provide separate bike and pedestrian facilities, create safe walking and biking routes to schools and provide safe transit access.”
For subscribers:Why more and more people are being killed on Delaware roads
What happened on New Year’s Day?
Early Sunday, Wilmington Police were dispatched to the 800 block of Delaware Ave. for a report of two pedestrians hit by a vehicle.
Officers arriving at the scene about 1:15 a.m. found two injured men, ages 21 and 30.
Both men were taken to an area hospital, where the older man died. The younger man was reported to be stable.
The driver of the vehicle stayed at the scene and the investigation is ongoing at this time, Wilmington Police said when responding to Delaware Online/The News Journal’s query about the incident.
Contact Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299, eparra@delawareonline.com.
