There were 24,005 crashes in Hampton Roads in 2009, resulting in 14,004 injuries and 124 fatalities.  Looking at these numbers another way, a crash occurred every 22 minutes throughout the region in 2009, with an injury occurring every 38 minutes and a fatality occurring about every three days.
The number of crashes has fallen significantly in recent years, not only in Hampton Roads but across the country as well.  At the peak in the middle of last decade, there were 33,000 crashes annually in Hampton Roads, with over 18,000 injuries.  The decrease in traffic crashes is unprecedented, with many factors contributing to this reduction.  Traffic volume levels have not increased much in Hampton Roads since 2003, which restricts the opportunity for an increase in crashes based on additional travel.  Improvements in roadways and vehicle technologies, such as rumble strips and sophisticated braking systems, have also made crashes more avoidable.  Programs have also been put in place, such as the Highway Safety Improvement Program, to identify high crash locations, recommend solutions, and fund improvements.
For more information on roadway safety in Hampton Roads and how HRTPO includes roadway safety in the transportation planning process, please visit HRTPO's roadway safety website at http://www.hrtpo.org/HRTPO_Roadway_Safety.asp.