Staggering Increase in Traffic Fatalities in Maine

According to the Bureau of Highway Safety, 2022 is starting off to be a deadly year with respect to motor vehicle fatalities in Maine. 2021 actually ended ended as one of Maine’s safest years. 2021 saw a total of 153 fatalities.

So far to date in 2022, 32 people have lost their lives in car crashes and others have been seriously injured.

Apparent contributing factors in these fatal crashes continue to be unsafe and illegal speeds, reckless driving, alcohol and drug impaired driving, and non-use of safety restraints.

Lauren Stewart, the State’s Highway Safety Director says “Make safety for yourselves, and all others sharing the road with you, your top priority. No one typically plans to be involved in a serious injury or fatal crash when they leave one destination for another. However, you can always plan to be a safe driver.”

Here are some tips from the Bureau of Highway Safety:

1. Be courteous and cautious and SLOW DOWN. Give yourself plenty of time to get where you are going so that you don’t make your problem of being late to your destination, the problem of another innocent and unsuspecting driver, rider, pedestrian, or bicyclist sharing the road with you.
2. Be a defensive driver always engaged in the act of driving, being alert, and looking out for the other cars on the road. Just drive! Everything else can wait.
3. Buckle Up! Used in combination with airbags, seat belts are your single most important safety feature when you are involved in a crash. Being partially or fully ejected almost always leads to serious injuries and death.
4. Plan ahead and plan a safe ride home for you or a friend, even if you don’t plan to get impaired.
5. If you see something, say something. If you see someone driving impaired, driving recklessly, aggressively, or unsafely, call 9-1-1 and be prepared to say where you are and what you see. Your call could save someone’s life.