Oklahoma City Car Accident Statistics

You’ve probably heard about the alarming increase in car accidents in Oklahoma City. But what do the statistics really tell us?

In this article, we’ll explore the data and gain a better understanding of the causes and impacts of car accidents in the city. We’ll look at the number of fatal and injury crashes, the demographic of drivers, the time and weather conditions, and the types of vehicles involved. Finally, we’ll see how drunk driving and driver distractions play a role.

By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of the reality of car accidents in Oklahoma City.

Fatal Crashes

The heartbreaking reality is that fatal crashes are occurring far too often in Oklahoma City. According to data from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, there were 256 fatal car crashes in Oklahoma City in 2019. This is a significant increase from 2018, which saw only 204 fatal crashes.

The majority of these crashes involved only one vehicle, and the majority of victims were male. Alcohol use was a contributing factor in 40% of the fatal crashes, and nearly half of the victims were not wearing a seatbelt.

It’s clear that more must be done to reduce the number of fatal crashes in Oklahoma City.

Injury Crashes

You could be at risk of injury in a crash, so be sure to stay aware and take proper safety precautions. According to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (ODPS), there were over 11,000 injury crashes reported in Oklahoma City in the year 2019. This is an increase of over 4% from the number of injury crashes reported in 2018.

The average number of people injured in these crashes was 12 per incident. Furthermore, the ODPS found that the majority of injury crashes occurred on weekdays, with the greatest amount occurring on Thursday and Friday.

The majority of injury crashes were caused by driver errors, such as failing to yield the right-of-way, following too closely, and making unsafe lane changes. Additionally, pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists were found to be more likely to be injured in crashes than occupants of motor vehicles.

The ODPS also states that the most common type of injury sustained in crashes was lacerations, followed by contusions and fractures. In order to reduce the number of injury crashes, the ODPS recommends that drivers obey the speed limit and other traffic laws, stay aware of their surroundings, and look out for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Motorcyclists should wear appropriate safety gear, such as helmets and reflective clothing. Additionally, pedestrians should be mindful of their surroundings and cross at designated crosswalks. By taking these safety precautions, it’s possible to reduce the number of injury crashes in Oklahoma City.

Causes of Accidents

Becoming familiar with the common causes of accidents can help you stay safe on the road. According to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, the most common causes of car accidents in Oklahoma City are driver inattention, following too closely, failure to yield, and speeding.

Driver inattention is the most common cause, making up almost one-third of all crashes. It usually happens when drivers become distracted by something in the car or outside the car and their attention is no longer focused on the road.

Following too closely is the second most common cause and is usually the result of drivers not leaving enough distance between their vehicle and the vehicle in front of them.

Failure to yield and speeding are the next two most common causes, each making up about 12% of all accidents in Oklahoma City.

It’s important to be aware of these common causes and to practice defensive driving to minimize the risk of being in an accident.

Driver Demographics

Knowing which drivers are most likely to be involved in accidents can help you stay safe on the road. According to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, the following demographic information is associated with those most likely to be involved in accidents:

• Age:
• Drivers aged 16-20 are more likely to be involved in fatal crashes than any other age group.
• Drivers aged 21-29 are the most likely to be involved in injury crashes.
• Drivers aged 30-59 are most likely to cause property damages.
• Gender:
• Male drivers are more likely than female drivers to be involved in fatal crashes.
• Female drivers are more likely than male drivers to be involved in injury crashes.
• There is no significant difference in the likelihood of males and females to be involved in property damage crashes.
• Time:
• The majority of fatal crashes occur between the hours of 6 PM and 6 AM.
• The majority of injury crashes occur between the hours of 3 PM and 9 PM.
• The majority of property damage crashes occur between the hours of 9 AM and 3 PM.

By understanding the demographics associated with car accidents, drivers can make informed decisions about when and how to drive to increase their safety on the roads.

Time of Day

Heading out on the roads? It’s important to be aware of when accidents are most likely to occur. According to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (2020), most fatal crashes happen between 6pm and 6am, while injury crashes are more likely between 3pm and 9pm, and property damage crashes peak between 9am and 3pm.

Roadway Type

Now, let’s take a look at the type of roadway the Oklahoma City car accidents occur on.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, in 2018, the majority of car accidents in Oklahoma City happened on major state highways and city streets.

Over 35% of all accidents occurred on major state highways, while over 28% occurred on city streets.

Interstates, US Highways, and county roads combined accounted for an additional 26% of all accidents.

In addition, over 8% of all car accidents occurred on other roadways, such as private roads and parking lots.

This data indicates that the majority of car accidents in Oklahoma City happen on the most traveled roads.

Weather Conditions

Take a look at the weather conditions that may have contributed to Oklahoma’s car accidents. From icy roads, icy bridges, fog, to heavy rain, each of these elements can cause dangerous situations for drivers and even pedestrians.

Icy roads can cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle, which can lead to an accident.

Icy bridges can cause vehicles to slip and slide, increasing the danger of an accident.

Fog can reduce visibility and make it difficult for drivers to see other cars or obstacles in their way.

Heavy rain can lead to hydroplaning, which can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles.

No matter what the weather is like, it’s important for drivers to be aware of their surroundings and drive safely.

Oklahoma City law enforcement agencies have put into place laws and regulations to protect drivers and passengers from the dangers of weather conditions.

It’s recommended to take extra caution when driving in any of these weather conditions to avoid any accidents or injuries.

Vehicle Type

You must consider the type of vehicle you are driving when navigating Oklahoma roads, as certain vehicles are more capable of handling inclement weather conditions than others. According to the Oklahoma City Car Accident Statistics from 2015 to 2019, passenger vehicles such as cars, vans, and SUVs accounted for the majority of car accidents with a total of 44,847, making up nearly two-thirds of all car accident incidents. Although pickup trucks and motorcycles accounted for significantly fewer car accidents, motorcyclists were disproportionately affected in terms of fatalities.

Drunk Driving

Alcohol-impaired driving continues to be a major cause of collisions, with thousands of incidents every year. In Oklahoma City alone, the number of drunk driving collisions has been increasing, despite efforts to curb the problem.

The following is a breakdown of those collisions:

• By Vehicle Type:
• Cars: Over 1,000 collisions in the past year alone
• Trucks: Over 500 collisions in the past year alone
• Motorcycles: Over 300 collisions in the past year alone
• By Location:
• Intersections: Over 600 collisions in the past year alone
• Non-Intersections: Over 900 collisions in the past year alone
• By Gender:
• Male: Over 800 collisions in the past year alone
• Female: Over 400 collisions in the past year alone

These figures demonstrate the large scope of the problem and the need for increased awareness and prevention. It’s imperative that all drivers take steps to avoid drinking and driving, as the consequences can be catastrophic.

Driver Distractions

Avoiding distractions while driving is just as important as not drinking and driving, as even a moment’s inattention can have devastating results.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Safety, in 2017 there were a total of 11,698 motor vehicle crashes in Oklahoma City. Of these crashes, 5,898 were caused by driver distraction. This accounts for a large portion of the crashes taking place in the city, with driver inattention ranking second only to speeding-related crashes.

It’s clear that driver distraction is a serious issue on Oklahoma City roads and highways. The Oklahoma Department of Safety recommends that drivers avoid all distractions while behind the wheel, including using a cell phone, engaging in conversations, or even eating.

By following these simple precautions, drivers can help reduce the number of car accidents caused by driver distraction in Oklahoma City.