Crash Numbers Continue to Fall During July

Crash numbers within township borders are still dropping, according to a Northampton Township Police statement last week. 

Compared to data from 2010, there were 33 fewer crashes from June to July in 2011 township-wide. Police also saw a reduction of crashes in the targeted corridors along Second Street Pike, Buck and Holland Roads.

Police to reduce the number of crashes across Northampton, and numbers have been dropping steadily since.

Officers continued to conduct traffic monitoring posts. During these, one to three officers will pick an issue to focus on, like speeding or violations at intersections. The officer(s) man the post for 30 minutes to two hours and the specific goal is to reduce crashes, Officer Joe Rosowski said.

In July, officers conducted 93 posts in the selected corridors and gave out a combination of 353 citations and warnings to motorists, according to the report.

Data revealed that 79 percent of the crashes occur between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., with a concentration of 30 percent after 4 p.m., Rosowski said.

Police said the trend for September has been a spike of crashes that they believe occur because schools are back in session and motorists are no longer in a "relaxed" summer mode.

Continue to check Patch for the latest updates on the Crash Reduction Campaign.

Since our crash reduction campaign, which began in late May, is continuing into August, we wanted to provide our community a "snap-shot" status report of our findings to date.  We also would like to thank the members of our community and the many visitor-motorists who safely and courteously use the many roadways that cross-cross through our great community.  We ask for their continued cooperation and support in helping us keep our roads safe for everyone.

     As a result of our campaign to date, we offer the following two conclusions:

  1.  Crashes are continuing to drop within Northampton Township.
 
     * The total crashes reported for June and July 2009 was [160 crashes]
     * The total crashes reported for June and July 2010 was [177 crashes]
     * The total crashes reported for June and July 2011 was [145 crashes] 

  2.  We anticipate a spike in crashes during the month of September.  Historical crash data has shown that this anomaly has occurred over the past [2] years.  We feel that there is a correlation between vacations ending and school starting that push motorists out of their relaxed "summertime" mode and back into the "back-to-business" or "back-to-school" pace. 

     Additionally, with our schools opening soon, it is important for the safety of our students and motorists alike that we get out the message for ALL to drive DEFENSIVELY and with COURTESY to others.  [3] of the primary causes of traffic crashes remain; [1]. AGGRESSIVE DRIVING [2]. DISTRACTED DRIVING and [3]. DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED OR INTOXICATED.  Therefore, we would ask for your cooperation to help us prevent traffic crashes - JUST DON'T DO IT!    

THE TARGETED HIGH VOLUME CRASH ZONES:

1.  Route 232 [2nd Street Pike] High Accident Corridor
2.  Route 532 - Holland Road - Old Bristol Road High Accident Corridor

ACTION TAKEN AND OUTCOME:

1.  During the month of July [56] traffic monitoring / enforcement details were conducted in the Route 232 traffic corridor.  A total of [143] traffic violation reports were issued to motorists for violations of the Vehicle Code.

2.  During the month of July [37] traffic monitoring / enforcement details were conducted in the Route 532 [Buck Road] Holland Road traffic corridor.  A total of [210] traffic violation reports were issued to motorists for violations of the Vehicle Code. 

3.  Since the inception of the Crash Reduction Campaign total traffic crashes have dropped Township-wide. 

    * 132 crashes for June and July 2009.
    * 150 crashes for June and July 2010.
    * 117 crashes for June and July 2011.

4.  A 3-month analysis [May - July 2011] of 2011 traffic crashes Township-wide revealed that [50.37%] or [87] of the [150] crashes reported to the police department occurred between 12:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.  The prime crash time correlates to the traditional "school-release time" and the evening "rush-hours" of 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.