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State Police highlight accident issue on Rt. 1 at Delaware beaches

Delaware Public Media

State police at Delaware's beaches are reminding drivers to watch out for pedestrians and other vehicles after another busy season of accidents so far this year.

 

New data on South Route 1 crashes between January 1st and July 24th shows accidents have caused less property damage, but more injuries this year than in 2014. The troopers report 42 crashes resulting in injury -- almost a dozen more than for the same time a year ago.

They've seen 188 crashes causing property damage, and as in 2014, only one fatal crash so far this year.

But police also say those crashes are happening at more times of the week. In 2014, more than half of all crashes occurred on weekend days -- Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They're still higher at the weekend this year, but are also more spread out throughout the week.

And as in 2014, most crashes are happening at peak traffic times -- between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

The troopers are reminding drivers to keep a safe distance between them and the car in front of them, and to remember that route 1 crosswalks can take a long time to cross.

They say in the time it takes to complete some of the highway's widest crossings, a car going 55 miles per hour can move forward almost half a mile. So state police ask pedestrians to stay alert, and drivers to remember to give pedestrians plenty of space.