City of Grand Junction Transportation Engineering 333 West Avenue Bldg. D Grand Junction, Colorado PH: (970) Fax: (970) Web:

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1 City of Grand Junction Transportation Engineering 333 West Avenue Bldg. D Grand Junction, Colorado PH: (970) Fax: (970) Web:

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION... 2 CRASH RATIO... 3 CRASHES BY MONTH AND DAYOF WEEK, CRASHES BY TIME OF DAY CRASHES BY SEVERITY FATAL CRASHES DUI CRASHES DUI CRASHES BY MONTH, DAY OF WEEK, TIME OF DAY CRASHES BY LOCATION CRASHES BY TYPE CRASHES INVOLVING PEDESTRIANS PEDESTRIAN CRASH GRAPHS CRASHES INVOLVING BYCYCLES BICYCLE CRASH GRAPHS CRASHES BY AGE OF DRIVER AT FAULT THE 3 E S HIGH FREQUENCY LOCATIONS HIGH FREQUENCY LOCATIONS INTERSECTION EXAMPLE CORRECTIVE MEASURES CRASH SUMMARY REPORT RESOURCES For more detailed information contained in this report, you may contact the City of Grand Junction Division of Transportation Engineering at (970)

3 Introduction Traffic crashes have considerable impact not only on the people directly involved in the crash but also on the community as a whole. Below are the National Safety Council s most recent (year 2008) analysis of motor vehicle crash costs in the United States. The information provided includes estimates for the average economic cost per death (not each fatal crash), per injury (not each injury crash), and property damage crash. The economic cost estimates are a measure of the productivity lost and expenses incurred because of the crashes; they do not reflect what society is willing to pay to prevent a statistical fatality or injury. Motor vehicle crashes per each death, injury and property damage: Death.... $1,300,000 Disabling Injury.... $63,500 Incapacitating Injury... $67,200 Non-Incapacitating evident Injury $21,800 Possible Injury.....$12,300 Property Damage Crash (including non-disabling injuries) $8,300 The following comprehensive cost estimates include not only the economic cost components, but also a measure of the value of lost quality of life associated with the deaths and injuries; that is, what society is willing to pay to prevent them. The values of lost quality of life were obtained through empirical studies of what people actually pay to reduce their safety and health risks, such as through the purchase of air bags. These costs are on a per injured person basis. Death.....$4,200,000 Incapacitating injury.....$214,200 Non-incapacitating evident injury $54,700 Possible injury $26,000 No injury....$2,400 Source: National Safety Council Research & Statistics For Grand Junction, intersections with 5 or more crashes are analyzed; referred to as High Frequency Locations. When an intersection or section of roadway appears on the HFL list, it may be selected for corrective measures based on the crash rate and type of crash. Analysis of the crash rate at an intersection or on a section of road is one of the techniques used for identifying locations that may need improvement. Intersection crash rates are calculated by dividing the number of crashes at an intersection by the volume of vehicles entering the intersection. The annual number of vehicles entering an intersection is calculated by multiplying the average daily approach count (number of vehicles through the intersection) by 365 days. An example of the intersection crash rate calculation can be seen on page 19 of this report. This report summarizes data collected by the City of Grand Junction Division of Transportation Engineering for the year The information collected for this report includes only the crashes reported on city streets. Excluded from the report are crashes on private property, cold counter/phone reports, under $ damage reports and other non-crash vehicle incident reports. The City of Grand Junction Division of Transportation Engineering recorded 1424 crashes reported within the city of Grand Junction for the year There were 537 private property crashes and an additional 488 incident reports involving vehicles (cold counter/phone reports...) reported by the City of Grand Junction Police Department. The graphs and data shown on the following pages of this report are a breakdown of the 1424 reported crashes within the City of Grand Junction, taken from the Group Accident Summary Report for 2009 found at the end of this report. 2

4 Crash Ratio The crash ratio evaluation compares the total number of crashes to the total number of registered vehicles in Mesa County for that year. The graph depicts the ratio of crashes to number of registered vehicles in Mesa County from 1986 to The average crashes per registered vehicle over this period is 1 crash per 86 vehicles. 3

5 Crashes by Month and Day of Week, # of Accidents CRASHES BY DAY OF WEEK SUN MON TUES WED THUR FRI SAT These distributions remain relatively the same each year and are common throughout the United States. 4

6 Crashes Time of Day CRASHES BY HOUR OF DAY CRASHES :00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00 10:0011:0012:0013:0014:0015:0016:0017:0018:0019:0020:0021:0022:0023:00 0:00 12:01 1:01 2:01 3:01 4:01 5:01 6:01 7:01 8:01 9:01 10:0111:0112:0113:0114:0115:0116:0117:0118:0119:0120:0121:0122:0123:01 HOUR OF DAY The highest number of crashes coincide with the peak hours of traffic (The time of day when the highest volumes of traffic are on the road). Crashes by Time of Day :00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. 3:01 a.m.to 6:00 a.m :01 a.m. to 9:00 a.m :01 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 12:01 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 3:01 p.m. to 6:00 p.m :01 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 9:01 p.m. to 11:59 p.m

7 Crashes By Severity 2009 National studies estimate that only about half of all injuries occurring in crashes are reported and that motorists report fewer than half of all property damage-only crashes. The graphs below summarize the crashes reported on the City of Grand Junction streets by severity which include fatal crashes, injury crashes and Property Damage only crashes. (Excluded from the report are crashes on private property, cold counter/phone reports, under $ damage reports and other non crash vehicle incident reports.) Crashes by Severity Comparison In comparison, Grand Junction falls within the national average for types of crashes Fatal Crashes Injury Crashes Property Damage Only Crashes By Severity 2009 Fatalities, 0.46% The data in the graphs represent number of crashes of the types shown. The total number of fatalities that occurred in the fatal crashes for 2009 is 7. The total number of injuries reported in the Injury crashes for 2009 is 212. Injury, 12.15% Property Damage, 86.80% In 2008, an estimated 2.35 million people were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes, compared to 2.49 million in The estimated number of people injured in crashes is at its lowest point since NHTSA began collecting injury data in (most current data available at time of this report) 6

8 Fatal Crashes 2009 Of the 1424 recorded crashes within the City of Grand Junction, six (6) resulted in fatalities. Below are some of the conditions and a description of the fatal crashes. (vehicle 1 is normally driver at fault). Location Date Time Vehicle 1 Movement Vehicle 2 Movement 1st Harmful Event Driver 1 Contributing Fact Driver 2 Injury- Contributing Fact Fatal Vehicle 1 Type Vehicle 2 Type Road Location Road Description V1/V2 Speed Driver 1 Act Drive r 1 Age I-70B & 24 3/4 Rd. 2/15/09 2:12 Going Straight Traff Signal Pole DUI DWAI DUID 2/1 SUV Ran Off Right Side At Int 45 Careless Driving 21 V1 was WB on hwy 6 & 50 (I-70B) and veered off the north side of the roadway colliding into the traffic light pole on the NW corner. One of three occupants was ejected from the vehicle and found DOA. The driver and the rear seat passenger remained in the vehicle. North Ave. & 5th St. 2/28/09 0:46 Going Straight Going Straight Front to Side DUI DWAI DUID DUI DWAI DUID 2/2 Passenger Car/Van Pick Trk/ Van On Roadway At Int 35/30 Fail Stop at Signal 20 V1 driving NB on 5th St. collided with the passenger side of V2 driving EB on North Ave. V1 continued NE and collided with the north curb of North Ave. then ran off roadway and collided with a planter curb. V2 continued NE and collided with the north curb of North Ave. then ran off the roadway and collided with the planter curb on North Ave. and struck the ejected passenger of V2. V2 continued NE and collided with a light pole on the NE corner of North Ave. & 5th St. Both passengers of V2 were killed. 23 Rd. & G Rd. 3/5/09 17:18 Going Straight Going Straight Front to Side Dr Unfamiliar W/ Area No App Cont Fact 0/1 Veh Cmb SUV On Roadway At Int 45/35 Disregarded Stop Sign V1 was WB on G Rd. and did not stop for the stop sign at G Rd. V1 then struck the side of V2, which was NB on 23 Rd. and both vehicles ran off the side of the road to the NW with V1 landing in a ditch. Driver of V2 was killed. 45 Sanford Dr. & I-70B 5/27/09 3:19 Enter/Leave Park All Other Peds Other Cont Fact 0/1 Passenger Car/Van On Roadway Non-Int 25 No Action 44 V1 was stopped on the west side of Sanborn Dr. facing south. Ped1 exited the stopped vehicle without setting the brake or taking the vehicle out of drive. Ped1 was under the front of the vehicle attempting a mechanical repair. V1 started and drove forward pinning Ped1 against the ground causing a fatal injury. SH50 & Aspen St. 8/30/09 23:13 Going Straight Going Straight All Other Peds DUI DWAI DUID 0/1 V1 was EB on SH50 in the right lane. Ped1 was crossing SH50 and was struck & killed by V1. Ped1 was intoxicated. Passenger Car/Van On Roadway Non-Int Ran Off Left D Rd. & Riverside Pkwy. 10/2/09 2:08 Going Straight Light/Util Pole DUI DWAI DUID 1/1 Pick Trk/Van Int Related 35 Reckless Driving 37 Side V1 was traveling east on D Rd. approaching the intersection at Riverside Pkwy. V1 went off the left side of the roadway, striking the curb. V1 then went off the road into a dirt field on the NE corner, striking a pole, rolling over and crossing Riverside Pkwy. V1 struck two small boulders on the south side of Riverside Pkwy then went airborne over the boulders and came to rest on the wheels facing west. D1 was DOA The number of traffic fatalities in 2008 reached its lowest level since There was a 9.7% decline in the number of people killed in motor vehicle crashes in the United States, from 41,259 in 2007 to 37,261. According to NHTSA a projected decline has continued into A statistical projection of traffic fatalities in 2009 shows an estimated 33,963 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes. This represents a decline of about 8.9% from If these projections are realized, fatalities will be lowest on record since NHTSA Graph: Reported Fatalities in 2007 and 2008 and Projected Fatalities in 2009, by month. (NHTSA Crash-Stats. March 2010) 7

9 DUI Crashes 2009 DUI-DWAI-DUID Crashes by Severity Non-injury, 74 The one hundred nine (109) DUI-DWAI-DUID crashes, resulted in forty-two (42) people injured and five (5) deaths. In the fatal crashes. For conditions and a description of the fatal crashes go to page 7 of this report Fatals, 4 Injury, 31 NHTSA estimates In 2008, 714 lives (age 18, 19, and 20) were saved by 21-year-old-minimum drinking age laws. (most current data available at time of this report) 0 Alcohol Facts... Alcohol involvement is the single greatest factor in motor vehicle deaths and injuries. In ,773 people were killed in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes in the US. In 2008 alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities accounted for 32% of the total motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the US. On average someone is killed by a drunk driver every 45 minutes. 3 out of every 10 Americans face the possibility of being directly involved in an alcohol-related traffic crash during their lifetime. Fatal crash data has consistently shown drivers 21 to 24 years old have the highest level of involvement in alcohol-impaired driving fatalities, compared to drivers of all other ages. Habitual Alcohol-related crashes in the United States cost the public an estimated $114.3 billion in 2008, including $51.1 billion in monetary costs and an estimated $63.2 billion in quality of life losses. People other than the drinking driver paid $71.6 billion of the alcoholrelated crash bill, which is 63 percent of the total cost of these crashes. Source: 1) US Department of Transportation's Fatal Accident Reporting System and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's National Center for Statistical Analysis. 2) U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Most current data available at time of this report. 8

10 DUI Crashes by Month, Day of Week, Time of Day 2009 The charts below show the distribution of DUI crashes in the City of Grand Junction by time of day, month of year and day of week, for the year DUI DWAI DUID Crashes by Time of Day 12:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. 39 3:01 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. 7 6:01 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. 9:01 a.m. to 12:00 p.m :01 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 3:01 p.m. to 6:00 p.m :01 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 23 9:01 p.m. to 11:59 p.m DUI-DWAI-DUID Crashes by Day of Week 20 DUI-DWAI-DUID Crashes by Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 9

11 Crashes by Location Crash Locations Crashes At Intersection 695 Non-Intersection 375 Intersection Related 193 Driveway Access Related 129 Roundabout 14 Hwy Interchange 11 Alley Related 7 0 When vehicle paths cross, merge into or diverge from one another, a conflict point exists and the potential for vehicular crashes is introduced. Intersections have more conflict points than other locations and for this reason bear the majority of crashes. A typical 4-leg intersection has 32 vehicle-to-vehicle conflict points and 24 vehicle to pedestrian conflict points. Studies have shown that injury crashes are reduced dramatically with a roundabout installation. This is in part due to the configuration of roundabouts, which reduces the number of conflict points compared to a conventional intersection and eliminates severe crashes such as left turn, head-on, and right angle collisions. For pedestrians, the risk of being involved in a severe collision is lower at roundabouts than at other forms of intersections, due to the slower vehicle speeds and shorter crossing distances. Likewise, the number of conflict points for pedestrians is lower at roundabouts than at other intersections, which can lower the frequency of collisions. Vehicle to Pedestrian 4 Vehicle to Vehicle 8 10

12 Crashes by Type First Harmful Event (Crash Type) Crashes Front to Rear 514 Front to Side 440 Collision With Object 136 Side to Side-Same Direction 122 Front to Front 68 Collision With Parked Vehicle 29 Bicycle 17 Rear to Side 17 Collision With Pedestrian 17 Overturning 22 Other Non-Collision 14 Side to Side- Opposite Direction 12 Collision With Animal 13 Rear to Rear 3 The highest number of crash types can be attributed to intersections. Front to Side and Front to Rear type conflicts typically occur at intersections or driveway accesses. 11

13 Crashes Involving Pedestrians 2009 Of the 1424 recorded crashes on city streets in 2009, Seventeen (17) crashes involved pedestrians. Of these, eight (8) drivers were at fault, six (6) pedestrians were at fault and both were at fault in three (3) of the crashes. Nine (9) of the crashes resulted in injury to the pedestrian and two (2) pedestrian was fatally injured. LOCATION DATE TIME FIRST HARMFUL PED INJ AGE PED ACT FAULT VEH MOVE North Av & 28 Rd 1/5/09 11:00 All Other Peds 21 Cross/Enter Int Driver Going Straight Grand Av & 28 Rd 1/7/09 7:22 Schl Age To/Fr Schl 11 Cross/Enter Int Both Going Straight Spruce St & Main St 1/13/09 8:19 All Other Peds 20 Cross/Enter Int Driver Left Turn 7th St & Bookcliff Av 1/16/09 17:00 All Other Peds 45 Inj Cross/Enter Int Both Left Turn 7th St & North Av 1/22/09 10:55 Schl Age To/Fr Schl 15 Inj Cross/Enter NOT Int Ped Going Straight Grand Av & 5th St 1/28/09 12:09 All Other Peds 50 Cross/Enter Int Driver Left Turn Walnut Av & 20th St 3/20/09 15:55 Schl Age To/Fr Schl 6 Inj Cross/Enter NOT Int Ped Going Straight 15th St & Hermosa Av 3/24/09 10:40 All Other Peds 48 Other Ped Act Driver U Turn Colorado Av & 11th St 4/14/09 14:45 All Other Peds NA Inj Cross/Enter NOT Int Driver Going Straight Orchard Av & 13th St 4/27/09 15:43 All Other Peds 13 Cross/Enter NOT Int Ped Going Straight 7th St & Texas Av 5/10/09 22:51 All Other Peds 23 Inj Cross/Enter Int Ped Going Straight Sanford Dr & 7th St 5/27/09 3:19 All Other Peds 44 Fatal Push/Work Veh Ped Enter/leave Park The pedestrian was also the driver...he exited the vehicle without setting the brake to attempt a mechanical repair. The vehicle rolled over him causing a fatal injury. North Av (1750) 6/8/09 14:55 All Other Peds 61 Inj Other Ped Act Driver Right Turn 22 1/2 Rd & Foy Dr 6/25/09 11:47 All Other Peds 15 Inj Cross/Enter Int Driver Going Straight SH 50 & Aspen St 8/30/09 23:13 All Other Peds 37 Fatal Cross/Enter NOT Int Ped Going Straight The pedestrian was intoxicated and walked out onto the highway in front of the vehicle. Independent Av & Sunset Dr 9/28/09 8:15 Schl Age To/Fr Schl 8 Inj Cross/Enter Int Driver Going Straight 8th St & Mesa Av 10/4/09 18:03 All Other Peds 24 Inj Other Ped Act Both Going Straight On average, in the United States, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic crash every 110 minutes and injured in a traffic crash every 9 minutes. Source: NHTSA-Traffic Safety Facts 2006 data. Pedestrians. Pedestrians need to be especially cautious when crossing more than one lane of traffic and pay special attention to turning vehicles. Always wear a reflective material when walking at night and never assume a driver sees you, or that they will stop. Alcohol not only alters your driving ability, but also your walking ability. Your overall judgment is hindered, such as accurately determining the distance and speed of oncoming traffic. Pedestrian Severity of Crash Injury, 9 Non Injury, 6 Fatal, 2 12

14 Pedestrian Crash Graphs 2009 Pedestrian Crashes by Fault Both, 3 Driver, 8 Ped, 6 Driver Ped Both % Pedestrian Crashes by Age of Ped 18% 12% 24% < < Unknow n Crashes % Time of Day Pedestrian Crashes 2009 Pedestrian Action % 12:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. 47% 9:01 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 12:01 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 3:01 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 6:01 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 9:01 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. 18% 6% Cross/Enter NOT Int Other Ped Act Push/Work Veh Cross/Enter Int Lighting Condition 13 Crashes involving Pedestrians by Month Dawn/Dusk Dark-Unlight Dark-Light Daylight Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 13

15 Crashes Involving Bicycles 2009 Bicyclists were involved in 17 crashes in % of the bicyclists sustained injury. The bicyclist was at fault in 64% of the crashes, the driver was at fault in 24% and both the bicyclist and driver were at fault in the remaining 12%. Below is a list of all the crashes that involved bicyclists. The adjacent page shows graphs of the bicycle crashes for LOCATION DATE TIME BIKE ACTION CYCLIST AGE DRIVER ACTION INJ FAULT Fault Movement North Ave & 12th St 1/8/09 17:00 Going Straight Unknown Left Turn Bike 25 Rd & W Pinyon Ave 7th St & Bookcliff Ave 2/18/09 13:43 Enter/Leave Park 67 Going Straight Inj Bike 3/3/09 17:37 Going Straight 31 Left Turn Inj Driver Grand Ave & 7th St 3/13/09 12:25 Going Straight 11 Going Straight Bike Texas Ave & Melody Ln 5/11/09 14:55 Going Straight Unknown Going Straight Inj Bike North Ave & 5th St 5/17/09 16:10 Going Straight 29 Right Turn Both North Ave & 29 Rd 7/20/09 10:15 Going Straight 55 Left Turn Bike 25 Rd & Industrial Blvd Red Cloud ln & Bear Dance Ln 7/23/09 19:00 Going Straight 20 Going Straight Inj Driver 7/31/09 10:15 Other 4/7 Other Inj Bike North Ave & 8th St 8/1/09 16:10 Going Straight 56 Right Turn Both 7th St & Patterson Rd 8/8/09 11:07 Going Straight 19 Right Turn Bike Xing Int ran red light Xing Int Ran Stop Sign Crossing Mid- Block Xing Int Ran Stop Sign Xing Int on sidewalk wrong lane Xing Int ran red light Xing Int on sidewalk wrong lane Crossing Driveway or Alley Xing Int on sidewalk wrong lane Independent Ave & 8/25/09 10:23 Going Straight Unknown Parked Inj Bike Hit Parked Veh 1st St 29 Rd & Orchard Ave 9/17/09 16:30 Going Straight 29 Right Turn Inj Driver Belford Ave & 5th St 10/2/09 14:30 Going Straight 40 Parked Bike Hit Parked Veh Grand Ave & 3rd St 10/7/09 11:50 Going Straight 55 Right Turn Bike Xing Int Riverside Pkwy & 10/20/0 22:24 Stopped in Traf 19 Going Straight Inj Driver SH 340 Ramp 9 I-70B & Xing Int ran red 11/4/09 13:07 Going Straight 16 Going Straight Inj Bike W. Ouray Ave light Although most bicycle related deaths occur as a result of bicycle and motor vehicle crashes, crashes can happen anywhere...in parks, on bicycle paths, and in driveways. Head injuries are the most serious type of injury and the most common cause of death for bicyclists. Bicycle helmets have been proven to reduce the risk of head and brain injury when a crash occurs by as much as 85 to 88 percent. For more information on bicycle safety, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Web at 14

16 Bicycle Crash Graphs 2009 Bicycle Crashes By Age of Cyclist 2009 Unknown 3 18% 12% 35 & Up 5 25 to % 23% 16 to % <15 2 Bicyclist at Fault Movement Bicycle Driver Both Unknown Bicycle Crashes By Fault % 39% 8% 8% Intersection Related, 69% 23% 8% Crossing Driveway or Alley Crossing Mid Block Hit Parked Veh Xing Int Ran Red Light Stop Sign Xing Int on sidewalk wrong lane While riding a bicycle on the roadway, the cyclist is required by law to obey the same traffic laws as vehicles. Bicycling is prohibited in crosswalks and on sidewalks. Cyclists should travel in the same direction as vehicles, use proper signals to turn, slow or stop and obey all traffic signs and signals. Drivers are not looking for cyclists on the wrong side of the roadway or on sidewalks. Cyclists should always watch for turning vehicles and make sure they are seen by the driver. Driver at Fault Movement Left Turn 1 17% Right Turn 3 50% Straight 2 33% For a Bicycle Safety Brochure contact the City of Grand Junction Division of Transportation Engineering at or visit our web site at gjcity.org 15

17 Crashes by Age of Driver At Fault 2009 Age of Driver For the City of Grand Junction the age group with the highest number of crashes on average is the year olds, followed by the year olds, and then the year olds. These numbers are consistent with National averages. Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death for teenagers in America. Mile for mile, teenagers are involved in three times as many fatal crashes as all other drivers. Research shows which behaviors contribute to teen-related crashes. Inexperience and immaturity combined with speed, drinking and driving, not wearing seat belts, distracted driving (cell phone use, loud music, other teen passengers, etc.), drowsy driving, nighttime driving, and other drug use aggravate this problem. National and local programs have been implemented to try and reduce motor-vehicle-related deaths and injuries for teens: Increasing seat belt use The 2007 seat belt usage rate for ages 16 to 20 was 72.9%, which is about 8% lower than the overall usage rate for Colorado. (most current data) Click It or Ticket National Mobilization. The cornerstone of NHTSA's seat belt communications program is the national Click It or Ticket May Mobilization. CIOT is the most successful seat belt enforcement campaign ever, helping create the highest national seat belt usage rate of 83 percent. Coast to coast, day or night, the message is simple - Click It or Ticket Graduated drivers licensing Forty-six states and the District of Columbia have 2005 a three-stage GDL system. Analysis shows that adopting GDL laws will lead to substantial decreases of crashes for Crashes this age group anywhere between 20 and 50 percent. The State of Colorado has implemented a GDL system. 7.5 Colorado's Graduated license Law (C.R.S , 105, 105.5, ). Colorado law requires a minor applying for an instruction permit to hold that permit for at least 12 months and submit a log of their driving experience at the time they apply for their license. They must show 50 hours of driving experience, 10 of which must have been at night. The law also places restrictions on drivers under 18.? = > <15 Crashes by Age of Driver Comparison < > Average ? = 64 Reducing teens' access to alcohol. NHTSA s core strategies for reducing youth access to alcohol include: Actions directed at adults, such as media messages on parent and other adult responsibility, keg registration laws, and enforcement of laws against purchasing alcohol for youth. Actions directed at youth, such as tamper-proof licenses, use-and-lose laws that confiscate the drivers license of underage drinkers, law enforcement party patrols, and peer education. Actions directed at alcohol vendors (e.g., point-of-sale training and compliance checks). Comprehensive community programs that bring together community groups and agencies such as the Alive at 25 Program, which Grand Junction Police Department has in place. 16

18 Factors that can attribute to reducing future crashes fall within these three categories. Alerts people to ways they can help ease traffic problems, for example: Reducing their speed or using travel alternatives such as bicycles. Utilizes the GJPD Traffic Division to focus enforcement efforts on problem areas to increase community awareness and compliance. Monitors and Evaluates traffic and travel patterns within our travel network. Design, operate and manage facilities for all modes of transportation in order to provide for movement of people and goods. Of the three categories above, Education may be the most effective in reducing crashes. When we become aware of how and why crashes happen, we can then take the necessary steps towards making a change for the better. Although not always our most favorite experience, Enforcement is very effective and very necessary. Without enforcement, we would all be tempted to push the limit of the law, which would put all of us at higher risk of getting into a crash. Engineering envelopes all the physical elements that make traveling possible; streets, sidewalks, signs, signals, bridges and more. Engineering has made travel safer, more comfortable, rapid, and convenient. Like a three-legged stool would collapse without one of the legs, so is it with the 3 E s. All three are equally needed to support our transportation system. Ultimately, we as drivers and street users are responsible for the safety of ourselves and others. Educate yourself on the rules of the road. If you do not understand what a sign or road marking means, find out. Obey the law. The rules & the Patrol Officers are there to protect all of us. Always watch for pedestrians & bicyclists. Be exceptionally alert in school zones and near parks and recreational areas where children frequent! Be alert. Try not to drive when you are angry, tired or upset. Give yourself enough time to get where you are going without speeding. Just 5 m.p.h. can be the difference between an injury or a fatality. Your time and your car are expendable but a life is not. Never drive while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs! The consequences can be devastating. Be a courteous & patient driver, it will be returned to you. 17

19 High Frequency Locations 2009 Intersection Count Rate Volume 27 1/2 Rd & Patterson Rd I 70B & Independent Ave /2 Rd & Patterson Rd /4 Rd & I 70b th St & Patterson Rd st St & Grand Ave Rd & Sh th St & Ute Ave Rd & Patterson Rd th St & Pitkin Ave th St & Patterson Rd Rd & Patterson Rd /2 Rd & I 70b Court Rd & North Ave /4 Rd & North Ave th St & North Ave /4 Rd & North Ave st St & Patterson Rd /4 Rd & Patterson Rd /2 Rd & North Ave th St & Grand Ave Monument Rd & Sh Rd & Patterson Rd th St & North Ave th St & Orchard Ave nd St & North Ave th St & Ute Ave Exit 26 & Sh Rd & Patterson Rd st St & North Ave Cannell Ave & North Ave th St & Pitkin Ave Rd & North Ave th St & North Ave th St & North Ave th St & Gunnison Ave th St & Patterson Rd th St & Ute Ave /2 Rd & Patterson Rd Rd & North Ave Rd & I 70B /4 Rd & Orchard Ave th St & Ute Ave th St & Main St Rd & West Pinyon Ave 5 NA NA Mulberry St & Sh NA NA Horizon Dr & I 70 WB Off Ramp 6 NA NA 30 Rd & D 1/2 Rd 7 NA NA To determine if there are specific locations where engineering solutions may prevent future crash occurrences, a list of intersections where 5 or more crashes have occurred within fifty feet of the intersection in a twelve-month period is generated. The crash rate is based on the entering volumes as defined on page 2 of the report and shown on the following page. Below is the high frequency list for 2008 sorted by highest crash rate. The rates are unavailable for the intersections with NA (volume data is unavailable to calculate rate). Many intersections will appear on the High Frequency Location list every year due to the sheer number of vehicles entering the intersection. This is where looking at the crash rate is invaluable. A good example of how we interpret this data is shown on the following page. Let s look at an intersection that appears on the list every year such as 1st Street & Grand Avenue and compare it to 10th St. & Gunnison Avenue, an intersection from the 2002 HFL List. Although 1st & Grand has more crashes than 10th & Gunnison, 1st & Grand has a much lower crash rate. Why? Look at the red number in the car in the center of the intersection diagrams. In a 24-hour period, more than 14 times the amount of traffic flows through 1st & Grand than through 10th & Gunnison. When calculated for rate comparison, the table next to each diagram shows that at 10th & Gunnison there are 4 crashes per million vehicles entering this intersection. At 1st & Grand, there is one crash per million vehicles entering this intersection. Why is the rate important? The rate is considered a better measure of risk because it accounts for differences in traffic flows. When looking at the example given, 10th & Gunnison is the intersection that merits further analysis. 18

20 High Frequency Locations Intersection Example 10th Street Calculate ADT Entering Volumes 2002 Approach Volumes Total Vehicles Entering Intersection 24 hr. Period Intersection Total 3284 Days X Years X Calculate Total Accidents 486 Gunnison Ave. # of Accidents 5 X / = Accident Rate st Street Calculate ADT Entering Volumes 2002 Approach Volumes Total Vehicles Entering Intersection 24 hr. Period 49, Intersection Total Days X Years X Calculate Total Accidents Grand Ave. # of Accidents 29 X / = Accident Rate

21 Corrective Measures Locations with higher crash rates can be analyzed to see if there are any specific patterns and or physical elements that can be contributing to the crashes. Crash Patterns: Crash Type & Direction Time Of Day Weather & Road conditions Extraordinary circumstances Driver age Physical Elements Visibility Sight distance obstructions Intersection configuration Traffic Control Lighting Pavement Markings Engineering measures can be developed to correct environmental, site or traffic characteristics that may be contributing to crashes. Some countermeasures can be implemented fairly quickly, such as sign installations and trimming or removal of vegetation. Other solutions, such as constructing roundabouts, must be prioritized with the city s Capital Improvement Program. As streets are reconstructed, measures such as roundabouts may be included. 20

22 Crash Summary Report 2009 (City of Grand Junction Division of Transportation Eng.) Total Fatality Crashes 6 Weather Total Fatalities 7 Clear 1286 Total Injured Persons 212 Rain 57 Total Injury Crashes 173 Snow Sleet or Hail 71 Total Property Damage only Crashes 1236 Wind 7 Total DUI DWAI DUID Crashes 109 Fog 3 Total Vehicles 1512 Total Incidents 1424 Month January 124 First Harmful Event (Crash Type) February 90 Front to Rear 514 March 121 Front to Side 440 April 114 Side to Side-Same Direction 122 May 123 Collision With Object 136 June 109 Collision With Parked Vehicle 29 July 105 Front to Front 68 August 101 Bicycle 17 September 137 Overturning 22 October 133 Collision With Pedestrian 17 November 104 Other Non-Collision 14 December 163 Collision With Animal 13 Rear to Side 17 Days Of Week Side to Side- Opposite Direction 12 Sunday 95 Rear to Rear 3 Monday of the first harmful event crash type were Tuesday 237 approach turn/overtaking turn. Wednesday 241 Thursday 224 Reference To Road Friday 237 On Roadway 1299 Saturday 157 Ran off Right 66 Ran off Left 49 Time Of Day Comparison Ran off T Intersection 3 12:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. 55 Vehicle Crossed into Opposing Lane 3 3:01 a.m.to 6:00 a.m. 16 On Private Property 4 6:01 a.m. to 9:00 a.m :01 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 262 Crash Location 12:01 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. 373 At Intersection 695 3:01 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 371 Non-Intersection 375 6:01 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 138 Intersection Related 193 9:01 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. 74 Driveway Access Related 129 Hwy Interchange 11 Driver Age Comparison Alley Related 7 Unknown 64 Roundabout 14 < Road Surface Environment Dry Icy road treatment (dry,icy,snow) Icy Slushy Snowy Wet 86 75> 90 Roadway Lighting Dark Lighted 179 Dawn or Dusk 56 Dark Unlighted 73 Daylight 1116 This summary includes only the crashes that occurred on city streets. Private property, cold counter/phone reports, under $ damage reports and other non crash vehicle incident reports are not included. 21

23 RESOURCES US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION - U.S. Department of Transportation 400 7th Street, S.W. Washington, D.C (202) NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION - NATIONAL CENTER FOR STATISTICS AND ANALYSIS www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/departments/nrd-30/ncsa/stsi/usa%20web%20report.htm FATALITY ANALYSIS REPORTING SYSTEM www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/main/index.aspx NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL Spring Lake Dr. Itasca, IL (800) /(630) /(630) fax CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION Clifton Rd. Atlanta, GA 30333, U.S.A Tel: (404) / Public Inquiries: (404) / (800) CITY OF GRAND JUNCTION North 5th St. Grand Junction, CO (970) POLICE DEPARTMENT 625 Ute Ave. Grand Junction, CO (970) DIVISION OF TRANSPORTATION ENGINEERING 333 West Ave. Bldg. D Grand Junction, CO Phone: /Fax: (970) STATE OF COLORADO - DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE, DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES 1881 Pierce St. Lakewood, CO (303)