2014 Deadly Year for Motorists

The State Highway Patrol said that 20 people lost their lives in motor vehicle accident crashes in Coshocton and Muskingum counties. 

13 people lost their lives in 10 crashes in Muskingum County, while 7 died in 7 crashes in Coshocton. That number is up from 2013 when there were 10 fatal crashes claiming 11 lives in the two counties. 

In ten of the fatal crashes in Muskingum County seven were single vehicle crashes, three other involved two vehicles, five of the crashes involved motorcycles or ATVs. 

Five of the seven crashes in Coshocton County were one vehicle accidents the other two were head-on and there was one motorcycle involved in a fatal.

Of the motorcycle involved accidents three of six weren’t wearing helmets. Two of the ten fatal crashes involved drugs or alcohol of the people who had seatbelts 75% weren’t using them. Six of the ten crashes involved mature drivers (55 and older).

Commander of the Zanesville Post Lieutenant Matt Boyd said, "No one gets into their cars expecting to be involved in a crash. However, you can greatly increase odds of being safe when traveling on the roadway by obeying traffic laws, using available safety equipment, making sure your car is safe and road worthy, and by driving defensively."