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Home My WebLink About(0005) IR 20-10419 - Traffic Collisions & FatalitiesINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 20-10419 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 2, 2020 Page 1 of 4 i r SUBJECT: TRAFFIC COLLISIONS &TRAFFIC FATALITIES r�rA re�a This Informal Report offers a comparison of Traffic Collisions and Traffic -Related Fatalities during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 with the same time frame (March 1st — May 18th) in 2019. This chart shows the number of total collisions for March, April and May (through the 18th) in both this year and the previous year. Total collisions, including hit-and-run collision, are down significantly in 2020 compared to the same time frame in 2019. However, fatality collision increased in both April and May of 2020 over 2019. Of the sixteen fatality collisions during this 2020 timeframe, speed and alcohol consumption were contributing factors in 6 of those crashes. However, the toxicology reports for some of the fatality collisions have not returned. Also, at least 3 of the fatalities are Hit and Run and many factors are unknown. 2019 020 % difference March ("Collision l 1376 1078 -22 (Non -hit and 981 769 -22% Run/Fatality) Hit and Run 390 305 -22% Fatality 20% April Total 1456 746 -49 Collision (Non -hit and 1036 574 -45% Run/Fatality) Hit and Run 418 166 -60% Fatality 2 6 200% May -Up to the 18th JL Total 809 581 -28% Collision (Non -hit and 593 -26% Run/Fatality) Hit and Run 215 136 -37% _ Fatality 500% ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 20-10419 PRTFA Vf;',� e s ti e `o w r�rA 1@70L To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 2, 2020 Page 2 of 4 SUBJECT: TRAFFIC COLLISIONS & TRAFFIC FATALITIES Contributing Factorsfor - Sixteen FatalitV Collisions Pedestrian -Failure to Yield Right of way to Vehicle 3 Auto -Pedestrian -Unknown Factors 3 Failure to control speed 2 Unsafe Speed 3 Failure to Yield Right of Way -Left Turn 2 Failure to Yield Right of Way -Stop Sign 1 Disabled Vehicle in Lane of Traffic 1 Wrong Way -One way -No Headlights 1 Number of Fatalities Per Division Between March 1-May 18, North 2020 South West East Northwest Central Below is a summary of the findings: • There were 6 pedestrian fatalities that occurred during this timeframe; 3 occurred in West Division, 1 in East Division, 1 in Central, and 1 in South Division. o 2 of the 3 in West Division were individuals walking on the freeway ■ 3900 West Freeway ■ 2400 W Loop 820 South • There were 2 fatalities that occurred due to racing and they were both in Northwest Division. The first fatality accident occurred on April 17, 2020 at 11:16 pm at 2600 NE 28th Street and the second fatality accident occurred on May 17, 2020 at 9:06 pm at 300 N. University Drive. • There were 2 fatality collision that involved motorcycles that occurred in North Division. The first fatality accident occurred on April 25, 2020 at 2:24 pm at 7700 Buttonwood Drive and the second occurred on May 7, 2020 at 1:47 pm at 6900 N. Beach Street. • 13 of the 16 fatality collisions occurred on city streets, while the other 3 occurred on an interstate or state highway. ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 20-10419 PRTEot ca , e s Vf a_ e `o ,t r1: rA 1 Q 7'.t To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 2, 2020 Page 3 of 4 SUBJECT: TRAFFIC COLLISIONS & TRAFFIC FATALITIES On May 191h, the National Police Foundation (NPF) presented findings on traffic collision and fatality crashes in five other states, comparing data from 2019 to 2020. Their findings are similar to what we have seen in Fort Worth, with a decrease in the overall number of collisions, while fatality crashes increased this year over last year. Below is a summary page of the NPF study: Traffic Crashes and Fatality/Fatal Crash Rates State Traffic Crashes Fatality Rates* Descripti --o-20B t?C.'J r-2019 --e-2020 A National Police Fo Florida s.sn Iowa l rSI l,9SS l,MS ohi Massachusetts i Mimi xT,95! 1¢.9a6 9J35 UNIT IPWn Nara p„I al gA sr eg Mw'Y kgNM rrM�a Mau xi 2t Ynar! fNr¢III hWn 3iL s� Irw., ie6rulh M>.,. on undation analysis cf traffic crash and fatality data from five states found that total numbers of traffic crashes decreased across the states as the COVID-19 pandemic began to impact the US. However, fatality rates increased for each ofthese states In April, and most in March, compared to 2019 data, likely indicating a marked increase in the rate of reckless driving." The first set of charts displays total traffic crashes and the second set displays fatalitic0atal crashes per 1,000 crashes for Florida, lows, Ohio, Massachusetts, and Missouri. Soui.ea! FL Highway Sxrery end rW.w, Vehicle,. IA 13, arl entof Transpprtatlen,. 014 Stele Highway Patel, MA Oepartrners or Transportation, MO statewide Tnift Axidenl Records System. Data was 1-1..—.d May I l"Q 'Fatality rate analysiaf— IA end MA u,e dal. 9s tptal gji l¢ wh lie FL, 014. and MO use dKm Iw m�� te�al fare l Hashes. I.LY u3 etas from the NPF Access NPF roadway-ofgly. resources Additional Resources Real -Time COVID•19 C0VID-19 Research & COVID-19 FAQs by Law Enfnrramant Reference Search Tool Law Enforcement: jlltnactSituational for First Responders View on the NPF's Awareness Dashboard: r t by NPF COVIo-19 Resources Add or Undate Your Open Sourcel. (D Page A99.RSeY's Oats ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 20-10419 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council June 2, 2020 Page 4 of 4 i r SUBJECT: TRAFFIC COLLISIONS &TRAFFIC FATALITIES r�rA re�a As seen in this report, Covid-19 as well as the subsequent state and city restrictions have had a direct impact on human behavior and has played a factor in the decreased number of collisions. Yet, those same limitations have contributed to an increased number of fatalities on our roadways. During this time, the Fort Worth Police Department has received numerous calls about increased speeds on every type of street in the City of Fort Worth. Many of the reports are hard to address because the violator has left the scene as soon as the call is dispatched. However, there are several factors that could have contributed to the increased number of fatalities: • Citizens felt more comfortable driving at much higher speeds with fewer cars on the streets. • Many drivers are willing to take more chances (driving reckless) due to the reduced number of cars on the streets. • Driver innattention (on cell phone, social media, changing radio stations, eating, sightseeing, etc.,) has risen -fewer cars on the street means people are more willing to take their attention away from the road. • Lastly, there has been an increase in the foot and bicyle traffic due to the shelter in place order. There are many more people trying to get out of their house for fresh air, exercise, or play which causes other issues for drivers on or beside the roadways. The traffic collison/fatality information was shared with our patrol Commaders to increase enforcement efforts from patrol in their hotspot areas. Traffic Division will be increasing their enforcment efforts on the state highways and interstate system. We will working with our Public information office to send out a public service announcement about the dangers of speeding, reckless driving, and racing. Additionally, we will remind citizens to report reckless driving and work with their Neighborhood Police Officers on speeding issues in their community. Each Division has the ability to run special details when traffic related issues are brought to their attention and due to the unique nature of each division, each Commander uses different tactics to addresses this problem. For example, Northwest is running a two week detail that specifically addresses speeding and reckless driving in and around the Stockyards and North Main Street area, while Central Division is utilizing the Skywatch for a problem location, and East has a weekend detail that addresses the variety of traffic issues on Miller Street near Hwy 287. In order to reduce the number of fatalities, we are committed to take a targeted approach that includes education and enforcement. For additional information, please contact Ed Kraus, Chief of Police at 817-392-4213. David Cooke City Manager ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS