Delaware State Police News Release Timothy E. Winstead

DSP News Release: Monday, January 19, 2009- Sobering Data Hopefully Causes Caution for Drivers

Location of Incident: New Castle County

Date and Time of Occurrence: 24-Hours period from 8:00 a.m. yesterday to 10:00 a.m. today

Resume: The past week, our region has experienced severe cold and varying levels of precipitation. As many recent days proved to be hazardous for motorists, the past twenty four hour period was especially so.

Starting at 8:00 a.m. yesterday morning, until 10:00 a.m. today, the Delaware State Police investigated a total of 87 crashes in New Castle County alone. The breakdown is as follows:

2 hit and run crashes without injury
55 crashes without injury
16 injury crashes
14 other unclassified crashes

These statistics are sobering and underscore the dangers of traveling on slicks and icy roadways. Also, this brings to mind the dollar amount in damages when these many crashes occur. The figure could easily reach the hundreds of thousands.

Cpl/1 Jeff Whitmarsh says, “Our hope is that motorists will see these statistics and make the safe and conscious decision to slow down, increase the distance that they are traveling behind the vehicle in front of them and focus their attention on driving vs. eating, talking on the cell phone, texting and other unnecessary tasks.”