West Virginia Car Accident Statistics

Know the statistics about fatal car accidents in West Virginia can help residents know what to avoid.

In 2011, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that there were 337 traffic incidents involving fatalities. The majority of these accidents occurred in rural areas, with just 99 of them happening in urban areas.

While there were 337 traffic incidents, 463 drivers lost their lives, meaning there were multiple fatalities in many of these accidents. Only one of these accidents included a fatality of a child aged four and under. The child was restrained during the accident, but this low number suggests greater use of child safety seats. 2011 had the lowest number of fatalities of this age group since 2007.

For those aged five and older, it is estimated that 52 lives might have been saved if they were using restraints.

Types of Crashes

The largest type of fatal crash is due to roadway departure. That is followed by single-vehicle crashes, speeding, rollovers, intersection-related crashes, and large trucks.

The majority of vehicles involved in these accidents were passenger cars, followed by pickup trucks, utility trucks, vans, and large trucks.

Out of the 337 traffic incidents 90 of them involved blood alcohol content of .08 or higher.

In conclusion, it’s important to wear your restraints, and especially make sure your children are in their car seats and buckled in correctly. It’s also important to never get behind the driver’s seat if you have been drinking, and to drive defensively, because you never know when someone else on the road has made that terrible decision.

Make sure you are giving your full attention to driving. It can be easy to get comfortable while driving, it’s something we do every day. But you never know when you’re going to hit a pothole, or black ice and lose control, or someone else on the road will be driving recklessly.