But Tyler accicent fatalities remain low

Tyler, Texas — Traffic deaths in the first three months of 2012 jumped  to13.5 percent, the highest number since 2008 on a national scale. But the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is doing all it can to keep East Texas roads safe to resist adding to the statistic.

We spoke with Randy Hopmann, TxDOT's District Engineer, and he says that Tyler and surrounding areas have actually had a decrease in traffic fatalities within the last four years, even though the national average has gone up.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported Friday that its estimate of traffic deaths for the first quarter of 2012 show a 13.5 percent increase.

The estimated increase is the second largest quarterly jump in traffic deaths since NHTSA began tracking deaths on a quarterly basis in 1975 — and the biggest since 1979.

NHTSA said it estimates 7,630 people died in vehicle crashes in the first three months, up from 6,720 in the first quarter of 2011.

Even though the car accidents and death percentages have risen on a national scale, here in Tyler Hopmann says the city has done all it can to implemented a lot of new safety features on the roads,  " we have added raised medians, concrete traffic barriers, and even rumble strips into the center of the roads in Tyler and the surrounding areas to prevent traffic accidents," he said.

Remember to do your part as well, just because the roads are safe--- doesn't mean all drivers are safe behind the wheel. Do your part to prevent distracted driving and keep yourself and others, safe.