Nassau County Traffic Crash Position

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Crane Island Timucuan Extension Impact Fees Recycling Nassau County Traffic Crashes NASSAU COUNTY TRAFFIC CRASHES In the five years from 2003 through 2007 Nassau County has had 85 traffic crash deaths. If each of those people had 200 family, friends and associates, that would be 17,085 people who have been directly impacted, not for five years but for a lifetime. I knew one of those 85, and I am sure many in our county did also. I was personally affected by an auto crash thirty-eight years ago when my older brother was killed by a drunk driver. I have missed him for a lifetime, as has his son. From analysis of the 2007 Florida State Highway Safety and Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Data (www.flhsmv.gov), Nassau County has had significantly higher increases in traffic crashes, injuries, and deaths than the Florida average from 2003 to 2007, the five years covered by the report. Nassau County Florida Average Traffic crashes +44% +5% Traffic injuries +30% - 4% Traffic deaths +93% +1% Here are a few related results for the latest year, 2007: 1. The traffic crash death rate per capita in Nassau County is more than twice that of Florida, while at the same time Florida’s death rate per crash is almost double other states, when compared to peer states. 2. The percent of criminal traffic violations for driving with a suspended or revoked license or DUI in Nassau County (57%) is higher than the Florida average (45%). 3. There were more than two DUI traffic crashes per week and more than two traffic crash deaths per month in Nassau. Also, alcohol-related traffic crash deaths per capita in Nassau (51%) are higher than the Florida average (35%). 4. The top two non-criminal moving traffic violations are Running a Red Light and Speeding. In Nassau County those two violations accounted for 72% of non-criminal traffic violations compared to Florida’s 55%. 5. Nassau County traffic citations are about half the rate per capita (1/6 citizens) of Florida’s average (1/3 citizens). 6. The percent of all Nassau traffic citations given by local (County and City) officers (59%) is lower than the Florida average (81%). Most of the remaining citations were given by the state police. Nassau County officials and community leaders need to recognize and admit we have a traffic and crash problem, and decide we can do something about it. Possible next steps to reduce traffic crashes, injuries, and deaths in Nassau County are: GROWTH PLANNING: State laws call for public transportation safety to be protected and preserved through coordinated land use and transportation planning. Future new development authorizations and road plans need to take into account that Nassau traffic crashes, injuries and deaths are increasing faster than the Florida average. TRAFFIC SAFETY ENGINEERING: A1A is the major road in the county and the segment between Rt. 17 and Amelia Island is failed, according to state standards, due to unacceptable congestion. The Nassau County Commission has recently given concurrency law exemptions to a number of planned major developments that will make the A1A congestion and safety even worse over the next few years. The failed segment of A1A, a Strategic Intermodal System (SIS) state highway, should be analyzed by FDOT Safety Engineers for safety improvements. TRAFFIC LAW ENFORCEMENT: Nassau County’s traffic accidents have increased over the past five years at a higher than average rate while traffic citations are significantly lower than the Florida average. A review of this situation should be done by the local law enforcement agencies and a report issued on their conclusions and recommendations. EDUCATION AND MOTIVATION: It appears driver speeding, DUI, and running red lights are higher than the Florida average for Nassau County. Nassau-specific education information on our traffic and crash problems could be given when traffic violations are issued, as well as other educational steps. The Amelia Island Association has a traffic safety panel discussion planned for Wed., 5/13/09 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Lime St. F.B. Police Station conference room, where this issue will be addressed. All citizens are welcomed to attend and provide their views. The goal of the Amelia Island Association is to help improve the quality of life for citizens of Nassau County. Phillip M. Scanlan, Amelia Island Association - Director May, 2009