City
fatalities up 86%; highest level in 18 years
Nov.
7 -- The 52 traffic fatalities in the
city last year was the most in 18 years, according
to city documents.
The
fatality total represents an 86% increase from
the 28 that occurred in 2003, according to city
figures. The 52 was the most since 1986, when
53 people were killed in vehicle accidents.
Pedestrian
fatalities rose 143% last year, from 7 in 2003
to 17 in 2004, according to a figures presented
to the Common Council's Public Safety Committee.
"It
looks like a problem to me, what's going on
and what is actually being achieved in this
area," Ald. Terry Witkowski said after
a testy exchange with City Safety Director Florence
Dukes.
Some
19 of the 52 fatalities involved alcohol, Dukes
said. Speed was involved in 15, and failure
to yield was involved in 11.
According
to information presented to the committee:
- The
overall number of crashes declined from
12,755 in 2003 to 11,888 in 2004,a drop
of 867, or 7%.
- The
number of accidents involving alcohol rose
from 578 in 2003 to 638 in 2004, a jump
of 60, or 10%.
- Speed-related
crashes rose from 1,158 in 2003 to 1,311,
an increase of 153, or 13%.
- The
number of intersections where 15 or more
accidents occured rose from 45 to 50. To
see the complete list, click here.
