Tulsa has a long history of car accidents, but the city is working to improve its safety record. In this article, we’ll take a look at Tulsa’s car accident statistics, its car safety regulations, and the driver safety programs and pedestrian safety initiatives that are in place.
Tulsa’s car accident statistics
According to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, there were 1,256 car accidents in Tulsa in 2019. Of those accidents, there were:
– 72 fatal accidents
– 567 injuries
– 717 property damage only accidents
Most of the accidents occurred in the following areas:
– I-44: There were a total of 101 accidents on I-44, including 1 fatality and 41 injuries. Most of these accidents were rear-end collisions.
– US-75: There were 89 accidents on US-75, resulting in 2 fatalities and 45 injuries. The majority of these accidents were also rear-end collisions.
– Memorial Drive: There were 83 car accidents on Memorial Drive, with no fatalities and 34 injuries. The most common type of accident was sideswipe.
Tulsa’s history of car accidents
Tulsa has a long history of car accidents, starting with the early 1900s when horse-drawn vehicles were the primary mode of transportation. The number of car accidents increased as Tulsa became more industrialized. Some of the high-profile car accidents that have occurred in Tulsa in recent years include:
In 2010, a woman was killed when she was hit by a car while crossing the street. The driver of the car fled the scene and was later arrested.
In 2012, a man was killed when he was hit by a car while crossing the street. The driver of the car fled the scene and was never apprehended.
In 2013, a woman was killed when she was hit by a drunk driver while walking in a crosswalk. The driver plead guilty to first-degree manslaughter and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
In 2015, a man was killed when he was hit by a car while crossing the street. The driver of the car fled the scene and was never apprehended.
In 2016, a woman was killed when she was hit by a car while crossing the street. The driver of the car remained at the scene and cooperated with police.
Tulsa’s car safety regulations
Tulsa’s car safety regulations are designed to protect all road users. The city has strict seatbelt laws, driver licensing requirements, and yield laws for pedestrians.
All drivers and passengers in Tulsa are required to wear seatbelts at all times while in a moving vehicle. Children under the age of 13 must be properly restrained in a child safety seat or booster seat. Drivers who are caught not wearing a seatbelt will be subject to a fine.
Tulsa has strict driver licensing requirements. All drivers must have a valid driver’s license and insurance. out-of-state drivers must have a valid driver’s license from their home state. Drivers who are caught driving without a valid license or insurance will be subject to a fine.
Yield laws for pedestrians apply to all roadway users, including bicyclists and skateboarders. Pedestrians must yield the right-of-way to vehicles when crossing at intersections or mid-block locations without traffic signals or stop signs. Pedestrians who are caught violating yield laws will be subject to a fine.
Tulsa’s driver safety programs
Tulsa offers a number of driver safety programs to help improve safety on the roads. These programs include a defensive driving course, a driver’s education course, and a car seat checkup program. The goal of these programs is to reduce the number of car accidents in the city.
The defensive driving course is designed for drivers who have been involved in an accident or have received a traffic ticket. The course covers topics such as proper following distances, how to deal with aggressive drivers, and what to do if you are involved in an accident. Upon completion of the course, drivers will receive a certificate that can be used to dismiss a traffic ticket or reduce insurance rates.
The driver’s education course is offered by the city’s public schools and is open to all residents. The course covers topics such as basic vehicle control, state laws, and safe driving habits. Upon completion of the course, students will receive a certificate that can be used to obtain a learner’s permit or license.
The car seat checkup program is offered by the city’s fire department and is open to all residents. The program provides free car seat inspections and installations. Firefighters will also provide educational materials on proper car seat usage.
Tulsa’s pedestrian safety initiatives
Tulsa is working to improve pedestrian safety with a number of initiatives. One of these is the city’s “Walkability Action Plan”. The goal of the plan is to make Tulsa more walkable and to encourage people to walk more. To do this, the city is working on making sidewalks and crosswalks more accessible and safe, as well as increasing public awareness of pedestrian safety.
In addition to the Walkability Action Plan, Tulsa is also working to become a “Blue Zones” community. The Blue Zones Initiative is a national program that works to promote healthy living. To become a Blue Zones community, cities have to meet certain criteria in areas like nutrition, physical activity, social connectedness, and sense of purpose. Once a city becomes a Blue Zones community, it gets access to resources and support to help it continue promoting healthy living.
Tulsa is also partnering with the YMCA to create “safe routes to school” for elementary students. This initiative provides funding for schools to create or improve walking and biking routes to school. The goal is to make it easier and safer for kids to walk or bike to school, and to encourage more kids to do so.
Lastly, Tulsa is working to become a “bike friendly” city by adding more bike lanes and trails. The city has already added 30 miles of new bike lanes and trails since 2016. The goal is to make it easier and safer for people to bike around Tulsa, and to encourage more people to do so.
