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DelDOT asks drivers to pay more attention on the road

Delaware Public Media

DelDOT reminds Delawareans to keep their eyes on the road following a pair of crashes in recent weeks that left three employees injured.
 

An inattentive driver struck a DelDOT employee in Townsend last week, leaving him hospitalized with serious injuries. Two other employees were injured in a crash on September 18th, one was hospitalized for a broken back and tailbone. 

DelDOT’s Director of Community Relations  C.R. McLeod said the drivers did stop, but drove off the road as a result of inattentive driving.

“We try to take every safety precaution we can to alert and control traffic and when folks aren't paying attention and doing what they're supposed to be doing, primarily driving, that's when these incidents happen,” said McLeod.

COVID-19 closures and restrictions pushed traffic volumes throughout the state down 50 percent or more earlier in the year , yet the number of automobile fatalities are currently just three below the number at this time last year. 

 
“That's something that brings us a lot of concerns as well," said McLeod. "There’s a lot less people driving but we’re still seeing a high number of fatalities. Again, we’re just really wanting people to slow down and drive safely.”
 
There are 19 recorded pedestrian fatalities year-to-date, the most recent occurring on September 30, compared to 22 at this time last year.
 
Delaware is also among the top 10 states in the country with the highest pedestrian fatality rates per-capita. 
 
October is designated Pedestrian Safety Month by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.