Don't blame the road...

The Greenville Police Department has begun a Traffic Safety Initiative which is intended to reduce the number of car crashes in the City, make driving safer, and save lives.

Drivers can soon expect to see public safety announcements warning them of impending traffic safety activities in specific locations where data indicates a high number of vehicle crashes.  These activities are intended to raise public awareness about traffic safety in a positive way.  The announcements will coincide with enforcement of the traffic safety laws, especially along many of the major thoroughfares in Greenville.   The objective of enforcement is to reduce the number of car crashes by gaining voluntary compliance to traffic safety laws.

Among the violations that will be primarily targeted are speeding, turn lane violations, distracted driving, and red light violations. All other traffic laws will be enforced, as well, when violations are observed.

Speeding and inattention are the major causes of most vehicle crashes in Greenville. Rear end collisions, the most common type of car crash, are usually caused by speeding, driver inattention, or by following another car too closely.  Driving through intersections against the red light is a major concern, and a significant factor in car crashes involving injuries.   Turn lane Violations also contribute to a large number of car crashes each year in Greenville.  Using the center turn lane as a travel lane to bypass congested traffic areas creates a big safety risk for other drivers.   

Over the years, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has gathered data on the number of car crashes that occur on highways and streets across the State. 

The Greenville Police Department uses this data, as well as internal crash data, to determine the areas in our city where crashes are more frequent.  As a result of this data analysis, the Greenville Police Department is able to concentrate efforts, including education, public awareness, and enforcement in the locations where vehicle crashes are occurring.

Drivers in Greenville should expect to see a visible increase in traffic safety activities within a few weeks.

Here are the 2012 Top Ten Intersections for Traffic Crashes in Greenville, NC:

2012 Ranking	Intersection	Crashes 2012	Crashes 2011	2-Year Total
1	Arlington Blvd  &  Evans Street	30	16	46
2	Arlington Blvd  &  Red Banks Rd	29	28	57
3	Greenville Blvd &  E. Tenth Street	25	12	37
4	Arlington Blvd  &  Firetower Road	22	16	38
5	Arlington Blvd  &  Stantonsburg Road	20	8	28
6	Charles Blvd  &  Firetower Road	20	10	30
7	S. Evans Street  &  Firetower Road	20	9	29
8	Arlington Blvd  &  Hooker Road	19	15	34
9	Arlington Blvd  &  Dickinson Avenue	17	11	28
10	Arlington Blvd  &  NC Hwy 11 South ( Memorial Dr.)	17	11	28
	Totals	219	136	355

While these areas are where the most crashes occur, they are not the only locations.  Don't blame the roadway.   Drivers have to take responsibility for their driving habits, good or bad.