Traffic deaths significantly down in West Virginia in 2014

When the official count is in on the traffic death numbers from 2014, West Virginia is expected to finish approximately 70 deaths below where it was a year ago.

Governor’s Highway Safety Program Director Bob Tipton said the biggest reason has to do with the primary offense seat belt law that kicked in during the summer of 2013.

“That’s being heavily enforced in West Virginia. The small percentage who didn’t wear it (seat belts) is probably now wearing it,” Tipton said.

There were 332 traffic-related deaths in West Virginia in 2013 and as of earlier this week, there had been 262 in 2014. The official numbers from last year won’t be calculated until sometime in February, but Tipton knows that final number will be significantly less.

“We did a survey where our seat belt usage rate increased 7 to 8 percent over last year (2013),” Tipton said. “We think those numbers are driving the numbers downward along with the primary law for cell phone use along with other factors as well.”

Tipton said it’s some of those other factors the Governor’s Highway Safety Program continues to work on including improving highway infrastructure like guardrails and median cables.

Tipton said driver behavior issues also continually need addressed such as drunk driving and various distractions.

Tipton said improvements are being made but West Virginia can still be a dangerous place to drive.