Dayton crashes, fatalities rise sharply in two years

Dayton has seen a 40 percent increase in traffic crashes since 2014, and traffic fatalities have nearly doubled on the city’s roadways, according to police data.

Injury and property crashes in the city rose to 4,326 in 2016, compared to 3,093 two years earlier, the reports show.

RELATED: Dayton police to target enforcement at certain intersections

About 30 people died in traffic crashes in Dayton last year, up from 16 in 2014.

Most traffic crashes are preventable because they are caused by motorists speeding, ignoring traffic signals and running red lights, said police Detective Jason Ward.

“We at the Dayton Police Department ask that you please pay attention and slow down — your life depends on it,” he said.

Dayton’s elected leaders also said the loss of automated red light and speed detection cameras has made made driving in the city less safe.

RELATED: Dayton fatal crash deadliest of 2016 in Ohio

On April 8, a 48-year-old Dayton woman was traveling west on West Third Street and turned left onto James H. McGee without stopping for oncoming traffic.

The woman’s Pontiac collided with a 2004 Chrysler sport utility vehicle that was headed east on Third Street, which sent the SUV smashing into the side of a building.

The woman and the SUV’s occupants, a 51-year-old man and 13-year-old boy, were taken to the hospital. She was cited for failing to yield for the right of way.

That crash was one of 37 that occurred at West Third Street at James H. McGee Boulevard in 2016.

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