It was learned last week traffic incidents in Wheeling were down significantly from previous years.

Why?

In 2020, the roads were less traveled traffic due to pandemic

So, in 2021 traffic increased, as did crashes and violations.

"Folks weren't doing what they were supposed to be doing,” said Lt. Josh Sanders of the Wheeling Police Department. “Not stopping at stop signs. Those caused some side swipe crashes, or collisions of people entering the interstate, speeding of course was a factor in those types of crashes and then rear-end collisions."

And in the recent statistics report for 2022, there was a 12 percent decrease in those crashes. Citations were down 10 percent.

One main contributor was the construction across I-70 coming to a close, eliminating the sudden stops, lane changes and speed shifts.

Another factor is staffing. There simply isn't enough manpower out there to patrol.

"We would normally have a full-time traffic unit, and now, we rely on highway safety overtime,” Sanders said. “People are on shifts that are also answering calls, so they can't always do some of those traffic enforcement"

But as there was a decrease overall, they noticed one trend they had not seen in previous years.

"The way things are trending right now, we are starting to see an uptick in crashes where only one vehicle is involved. So, I’m looking at that thinking, 'is that impairment or distracted driving?' " Sanders said.

So, the focus this year will be on distracted driving, with initiatives already in the works, like a DUI checkpoint taking place Friday on Wheeling Island.

"So, we are ramping up some of those traffic efforts to eliminate some of those crash trends that are occurring already."

"I’m very pleased with the decrease in traffic numbers, and I’d like to see that go on as we continue 2023," Sanders said.

So, to stay out of next year's statistics, follow the rules of the road. As Lt. Sanders always says, slow down, back off, and hang up that phone.