October Fatalities Up in Midland

Last week a man was struck by his own street sweeper when a Chevy Suburban smashed into it.

That same day, a women hit a man on a motorcycle causing another fatal accident.

This is the 24th traffic-related death to happen here in Midland in the last year -- a record high.

We've seen six fatal accidents this month alone, making it the deadliest month on Midland highways and it isn't even over yet.

Police are saying by the end of this year the amount of fatalities will beat out the thirty deadly accidents we saw back in 2009.

The Permian Basin is getting used to seeing more accidents like this on its roadways.

It's a growing trend that is forcing anyone who starts their car to be extra cautious.

"This has been an exceptional year for some of these horrible wrecks with serious injuries and of course fatalities that we have seen in the past couple months," said Trooper Shanna Malone.

Trooper Malone says three criteria must be met to make Midland roads to be safer.

"Don't drink and drive, wear your seatbelt, obey your speed limits."
 
Now, with October turning out to be the deadliest month on the road, Malone thinks there's another big problem.

"Drivers are not paying attention...i don't know if its the attitude of that it won't happen to me."

And everyone needs to be cautious.

"It's not necessarily younger drivers, its not necessarily older drivers these horrible wrecks that we have had in the past couple months have involved all age groups," said Malone.

Also, don't think that DPS Troopers can do more to make roads safer. They've already stepped up their presence on the roads.

"We have a what is called special traffic enforcement program that allow extra officers to come in and work," said Malone.

But one thing Malone stresses is they will be out there, making sure the streets get safer.

"We are going to be out there, we are going to put people in jail for DWI, we are going to write you seatbelt tickets and we are definitely going to write you speeding tickets..and we are going to do what we can to  slow you down and make sure you get down the road safely," said Malone.

There were 511 serious accidents and 30 fatal accidents in 2009 in Midland County -- numbers DPS hopes we don't break by the end of this year.

But Malone says, its up to Midlanders to keep the roads safe.