[T]hirteen people died in car crashes on state highways in the first seven months of the year, the lowest number in recent years, according to the Vermont Agency of Transportation.
One additional person died in a car crash in August, said Keith Flynn, administrator of the behavioral and data units in the state highway safety office. But according to VTrans data, the fatalities on the state’s highways statistically are between 25 to 35 through the end of July. It was 36 last year.
“Although we have a historically low number of fatalities at this point in the year, we still have 14 fatalities. There are still 14 families that had experienced the loss of a loved one,” Flynn said.
Of the 14 deaths, Flynn said, six were drug-related and two involved alcohol. Six of those killed did not wear a seat belt. Two of the drivers killed were over 65, and one driver was under 18. There were two motorcycle fatalities.
This year, June and July had the most fatalities. Three people died in car crashes in both months, he said.
“Each year when we look at our fatalities, speed usually plays a major contributing factor in most,” Flynn said.
While unable to pinpoint a reason for this year’s decline in fatalities, Flynn said it could be attributed to a combination of factors. He said the agency has had more high visibility enforcement actions this year, hoping to serve as a deterrent and finding more people violating the law.
The agency has also been educating people on the importance of wearing seat belts and reducing speed, Flynn said. Not drinking and driving and not using drugs and driving are critical as well. He said the goal is trying to reduce all fatalities.
Flynn was commissioner of the Department of Public Safety from 2011-2017.
