Rural roads in Sacramento County are experiencing a change in travel patterns as the region grows. Rural roads onceused to transport goods to market or to move farm machinery from location to location must now accommodate commute and leisure trips that may clash with traditional transportation patterns. This influx of nontraditional traffic presents a growing safety concern for rural road users.
SACOG staff has compiled sample safety statistics from 1998 to 2007 to help bolster grant applications and inform policy decisions to improve rural roadway safety.
Fatal collisions in rural Sacramento County peaked in 2005, with 88. Total rural collisions have varied over the past 10 years, but have recently seen a rapid decline. By contrast, urban fatal collisions have grown relatively quickly over the 10-year period, starting at 26 in 1998 and peaking at 69 in 2003.
Among fatal and non-fatal collisions, the most common type of collision was with another motor vehicle. However, a greater percentage of fatal or severe injury collisions were caused by collisions with fixed objects, pedestrians, and non-collisions.
Rear end collisions were overwhelmingly the most common type of non-fatal, non-severe injury (other) collisions.
Unsafe speed accounted for the majority of all collisions, and nearly 35 percent of other collisions. Driving or bicycling under the influence accounted for nearly 25 percent of fatal or severe collisions, but only 6 percent of other collisions. Other leading causes included improper turning and automobile right-of-way.
For the full report or to request technical assistance, contact Christine Scherman at (916) 340-6262 or cscherman@sacog.org.