State of Delaware
Strategic Highway Safety Plan
September 2011 Update
Crash Trends
Fatality Trends
Fatality Rates
Strategic Highway Safety Plan: Delaware updated their SHSP in October 2010 to include
primary and secondary emphasis areas as follows:
Primary Emphasis Areas
Secondary Emphasis Areas
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Reducing the Frequency and Severity of
Roadway Departure Crashes
Curbing Aggressive Driving
Increasing Seatbelt Usage
Reducing Impaired Driving
Improving the Design and Operation of
Highway Intersections
Making Walking and Street Crossing Safer
Improving Motorcycle Safety and Increasing
Motorcycle Awareness
Sustaining Proficiency in Older Drivers
Making Heavy Vehicle Travel Safer
Designing Safer Work Zones
Improving Traffic Records
Safety Initiatives
The following highlights some of the new programs and projects that Delaware has initiated in
2010 - 2011 to reduce fatalities and address the key emphasis areas and implement the
strategies identified in the Strategic Highway Safety Plan.
Minimizing the Severity of Roadway Departure Crashes: DelDOT is currently finalizing an
Action Plan for the Removal of Fixed Objects from the Clear Zone. This data-driven plan
supports the Reducing the Frequency and Severity of Roadway Departure Crashes emphasis
area. The action plan includes both proactive and reactive components and includes plans for
an inventory of fixed objects within the clear zone along all state-maintained roadways
(excluding subdivision streets). The public outreach campaign will kick-off in November 2011
followed by the inventory and removal of fixed objects. The inventory will be prioritized based on
the functional classifications with the highest fatal roadway departure crash rate per mile.
Minimizing the Frequency of Roadway Departure Crashes: In May 2011, DelDOT adopted
new guidelines for the installation of continuous centerline and longitudinal edge line rumble
strips to support the Reducing the Frequency and Severity of Roadway Departure Crashes
emphasis area. The Design Guidance Memorandum (DGM) contains guidance for limitedaccess facilities, multi-lane roadways, and two-lane roadways and generally increases the
requirements for installation of rumble strips which will result in a higher portion of roadways
with rumble strips statewide, thereby decreasing the frequency of roadway departure crashes.
Improving Traffic Records: DelDOT is currently developing a map-based Crash Analysis
Reporting System (CARS) in response to DSP and DelJIS’s development of E-Crash, a new
statewide electronic crash reporting system. The new Crash Analysis Reporting System (CARS)
has replaced the existing Safety Data Management (SDM) system and will allow for the
identification of high crash rate locations for various crash types and characteristics. For
example, a user will be able to calculate a crash rate for a specific roadway segment and crash
type (e.g., wet weather, nighttime, run-off-the-road, fixed object) and determine whether the
crash rate is higher than the average crash rate for similar types of roadways. The new program
has also streamlined the site identification process for all HSIP elements (e.g. HEP, HRRRP,
Transparency Report).
Motorcycle Safety: The Office of Highway Safety (OHS) launched its 2010 Ride Safe. Ride
Smart. Motorcycle Safety campaign in early April in support of the Improving Motorcycle Safety
and Increasing Motorcycle Awareness emphasis area. The campaign, a combination of both
enforcement and awareness activities, is an effort to reduce motorcycle fatalities and injuries.
Throughout the campaign, Delaware State, Dover, Felton Police, Middletown, Newark and New
Castle County Police Departments conduct patrols on high-crash roadways. Public awareness
efforts are aimed at reaching not only motorcyclists but also the drivers of passenger vehicles.
Motorists are encouraged to Share the Road with motorcyclists through billboard and radio
messaging. Motorcycle operators are being reminded, through billboard and radio messaging,
to Ride Smart. Stay Safe. by not speeding or riding while under the influence of alcohol.
Additionally, safety brochures, window decals and bumper stickers are being distributed through
OHS partners, including motorcycle rider groups. OHS awareness efforts in the last four years
have fostered a stronger partnership with the state's Motorcycle Safety Committee, on which
OHS now has a seat. The Committee also includes motorcycle riders, businesses, advocacy
groups and representatives of the DMV Motorcycle Rider Training Program.