The Wyandot County Safe Communities Coalition is sad to report two fatal traffic crashes occurred in the month of June in Wyandot County. These crashes resulted in the deaths of three individuals. According to the coalition’s coordinator, Jeff Ritchey, until June’s crashes, Wyandot County had seen zero traffic fatalities. Now, with three fatalities, Wyandot County is just one fatality behind the number of reported fatalities at this same time in 2021.
“It is heartbreaking to see such an increase in fatalities,” Ritchey said.
Based upon the initial review of the incidents, a car crash was caused by the driver’s failure to control the vehicle resulting in the driver’s death. Later in the month of June, a deer and a motorcyclist and passenger’s failure to wear helmets are considered contributing factors to a motorcycle crash resulting in two fatalities
“We have looked at so many of these fatal accidents over the years, and although helmets can’t save every life, we are always left to wonder whether it would have made a difference,” Ritchey said.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic crashes resulting in motorcyclist deaths are increasing each year with an 11% increase from 2019 to 2020. In fact, in 2020, per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists were about 28 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash and were four times more likely to be injured.
When out riding, motorcyclists are urged to wear a DOT-compliant helmet with a “FMVSS No. 218 Certified” label and other personal protective gear. The NHTSA estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,872 individuals in crashes in 2017, but another 749 lives could have been saved that year alone if all motorcyclists had worn helmets.
It only takes a second to become a statistic, so as you travel the roadways this summer; please be safe, be smart, and be alert. For more safety tips, visit @WyandotHealth on your favorite social media sites.
