According to data from the National Safety Council, it appears that 2015 was the deadliest year for U.S. and Maine drivers in nearly a decade.
Maine Traffic Fatalities are on the Rise
In Maine, we have seen an increase in traffic fatalities on pace with the national average. Comparing the first six months of 2015 to the first six months of 2014, there were two additional deaths – an increase of three percent. Comparing 2015 to 2013 shows an increased fatality rate of 17 percent.
Interactive Accident Map- Lewiston and Auburn
Zoom in to see the reported accidents on your street. You can even click the circles to see more details of the accident.
10 Most Dangerous Intersections in Auburn
| Rank | Intersection Streets | Number of Reported Accidents- 2015 |
| 1 | MOUNT AUBURN AVE and TURNER ST | 64 |
| 2 | CENTER ST and VETERANS MEMORIAL (On-Ramp) | 18 |
| 3 | COURT ST and SPRING ST | 17 |
| 4 | WASHINGTON ST (South) and EXIT RAMP | 15 |
| 5 | ELM ST and HIGH ST | 14 |
| 6 | MINOT AVE and HOTEL RD | 13 |
| 7 | COURT ST and MINOT AVE | 13 |
| 8 | CENTER ST and JOLINE DR | 12 |
| 9 | CENTER ST and BRADMAN ST | 11 |
10 Most Dangerous Intersections in Lewiston
| Rank | Intersection Streets | Number of Reported Accidents- 2015 |
| 1 | EAST AVE and SABATTUS ST | 17 |
| 2 | LISBON ST and SOUTH AVE | 17 |
| 3 | MAIN ST and BATES ST | 16 |
| 4 | RUSSELL ST and COLLEGE ST | 15 |
| 5 | EAST AVE and LISBON ST | 14 |
| 6 | MAIN ST and RUSSELL ST | 14 |
| 7 | MAIN ST and LINCOLN ST | 12 |
| 8 | RUSSELL ST and N BARDWELL ST | 12 |
| 9 | SABATTUS ST and HIGHLAND SPRING RD | 12 |
2015: A Deadly Year for Drivers
In September, the National Safety Council (NSC) reported that 2015 could see the most traffic-related fatalities since 2007. The NSC’s data covered only the first six months of the year, and so didn’t include the busy summer vacation season.
If recent news reports are any indication, it appears that figures for the second half of the year will be at least on pace with the first. There are daily news reports of fatal accidents. The Portland Press Herald reports that motorcycle accident fatalities are on the rise as well.
Newsweek, CNN, the Wall Street Journal, and other outlets have all pointed to two primary factors that are contributing to the increase in traffic fatalities. These are:
- An increase in the number of people getting behind the wheel, and
- An increase in the prevalence of distracted driving.
More Drivers Means More Fatal Accidents
How Jobs Affect Traffic
In 2007, America began its plunge into the Recession. With fewer people working, commuter traffic was down and fewer families could afford vacations. Fewer cars on the roads translated into fewer fatal accidents.
As we emerge from the Recession in 2015, people are back to work. The unemployment rate dropped to 5.1 percent in September – down from 5.9 percent a year earlier and down by half from the historic 10.2 percent rate in October 2009. Unfortunately, this economic growth has a dangerous byproduct: more jobs mean more traffic and more traffic means more traffic-related fatalities.
Gas Prices Play a Role, Too
Low gas prices are also contributing to the increased number of drivers on the roads. The American Automobile Association (AAA) reports that the average price for a gallon of regular gas in Maine was around $2.26 in early October 2015. A year ago, the average was $3.39. With more people working and with lower gas prices, highways in Maine and across the country are seeing traffic at historic rates.
Unfortunately, this has led to nearly 19,000 traffic-related fatalities in just six months – a 14 percent increase compared to the first half of 2014.
70 Percent of Drivers Admit to Using Smartphones Behind the Wheel
According to a study conducted by AT&T, as many as 70 percent of drivers use Smartphones behind the wheel. The NSC estimates that texting alone makes a driver eight times more likely to cause an accident and that overall cell phone use is responsible for 27 percent of all vehicle collisions. This includes:
- Sending emails
- Shooting video
- Taking selfies
- Texting
- Using Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, and Instagram
- Video chatting
With not only more people driving, but driving distracted, many experts predict high numbers of serious and fatal accidents for the foreseeable future.
What Can We Expect in 2016?
Looking ahead to 2016, the factors that have led to an increase in traffic deaths in 2015 are likely to continue. Economic indicators suggest that we may continue to see relatively strong jobs numbers, and many experts predict that gas prices will go lower before starting to rise. Earlier this year the Maine legislature voted against a law banning handheld cell phone use, leaving distracted driving a prevalent issue as well.
Lewiston, Maine Accident Lawyers
The attorneys at Fales & Fales, P.A. have 55 years of combined experience representing car accident victims and their families in Maine. We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients, including seven-figure settlements in auto accident cases involving serious injuries and wrongful death. Our firm has been located in downtown Lewiston since 1891. To find out if you may be entitled to financial compensation, you can call us at (888) 526-9408 or request a free case review online today.
