The Richland County Safe Communities Coalition reports that for the month of June there were no traffic deaths in Richland County.
There have been two traffic-related fatalities so far this year. Last year there were also no traffic fatalities in June but in 2012 there were three traffic fatalities.
The chart below reflects the five-year totals of traffic-related fatalities in Richland County for June and for the year to date.
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According to the Federal Highway Administration’s comprehensive costs for traffic fatalities*, each fatality has a comprehensive cost of $6 million associated with it. The two fatalities in January cost Richland County $12 million.
Although the 2013 “Click or Ticket” Mobilization ended on June 1, the Richland County Safe Communities Coalition is reminding everyone to always use your vehicle’s safety belts and make sure everyone is buckled up.
“During the summer months we see an increase in traffic in the evenings and weekends as people are driving to outdoor activities,” said Reed Richmond, Health Educator at Richland Public Health, a Safe Communities partner. “We can increase our summer safety, and the safety of others, by always remembering to use our seat belts and never driving impaired (under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol), especially over this year’s extended Fourth of July holiday (July 3-7).”