The Oak Harbor Police Department constantly reviews information on collision location and causation. This helps us direct resources to those areas for education, enforcement or changes in road signage or lighting to reduce those numbers of collisions.

Looking at the data for the third quarter of 2010, which covers July through September, we see that over 80 percent of the reportable accidents in Oak Harbor are on the SR 20 corridor.

Five of the top six intersections for the entire city are on SR 20, between the SW Erie Street and SW 8th Avenue intersections. These intersections account for 22 of the 27 reportable accidents for the quarter. The second highest intersection for collisions is also on SR 20, at the NE Goldie Street/NE Midway Boulevard intersection, which had a total of four collisions.

The main reasons for the accidents continue to be speed, following too close, failing to yield the right of way and distracted drivers. In response, the officers of the Oak Harbor Police Department will concentrate their traffic enforcement on the SR 20 corridor.

Drivers need to remember they should keep a safe reasonable distance from the vehicle in front of them. This distance is recommended to be a minimum of two seconds. Any time you enter a roadway, change lanes, or are turning, make sure you yield the right of way to other traffic. Distracted driving continues to be a cause of accidents. During the third quarter 59 infractions were issued for drivers using their cell phones and texting while driving.

The Oak Harbor Police Department remains committed to ensuring the safety of the motoring public, and asks for your assistance in making sure all of our roads are safe.

Officer S. Carter

Oak Harbor Police Department

Traffic Safety Officer