37 CRASHES IN
VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA
2023

The temporal distribution of fatal crashes shifted slightly year-over-year. While Saturday remained a peak day for fatal crashes in the prior year with 8 incidents, the current year saw both Saturday and Sunday as peak days, each with 7 fatal crashes. The peak hour for fatal crashes also shifted from 4 p.m. with 4 incidents in the prior year to 6 p.m. with 7 incidents in the current year.

Fatal crashes occurring in rainy conditions increased from 2 in the prior year to 6 in the current year. Regarding lighting conditions, fatal crashes in daylight increased from 13 to 17, and those in dark-lighted conditions increased from 11 to 16. Fatal crashes in dark-not lighted conditions decreased from 2 to 1, and those at dusk decreased from 3 to 1.

Fatal crashes at a speed limit of 45 mph increased from 16 in the prior year to 20 in the current year. Fatal crashes at 55 mph also rose from 4 to 7, while those at 35 mph saw a slight decrease from 8 to 7. A new speed limit of 40 mph was associated with 1 fatal crash in the current year, where none were recorded in the prior year.

The dominant manner of collision in both periods was 'The First Harmful Event was Not a Collision with a Motor Vehicle in Transport,' increasing from 17 incidents (56.7% of fatal crashes) in the prior year to 24 incidents (64.9%) in the current year. Angle collisions also increased from 6 (20%) to 11 (29.7%), while front-to-rear collisions decreased from 4 (13.3%) to 2 (5.4%).

The leading vehicle body type involved in fatal crashes was '4-door sedan, hardtop,' decreasing from 17 in the prior year to 15 in the current year. 'Two Wheel Motorcycle' involvement increased from 9 to 10, and 'Compact Utility' vehicles decreased from 10 to 7. Notably, 'Truck-tractor' vehicles were involved in 2 fatal crashes in the current year, compared to none in the prior year.

Urban areas consistently accounted for the majority of fatal crashes, increasing from 27 in the prior year to 34 in the current year. The number of fatal crashes in rural areas remained stable at 3 for both years. The rural share of fatal crashes decreased from 10% in the prior year to 8.1% in the current year, indicating that urban areas saw a larger increase in fatal incidents.

Fatal crashes on 'Other Principal Arterial' roadways significantly increased from 7 in the prior year to 14 in the current year. 'Minor Arterial' fatal crashes rose from 11 to 12, and 'Major Collector' incidents increased from 4 to 6. Interstate fatal crashes remained constant at 5 in both periods.

Roadways owned by 'City or Municipal Highway Agency' experienced an increase in fatal crashes from 23 in the prior year to 31 in the current year, making them the primary jurisdiction for fatal incidents. Fatal crashes on 'State Highway Agency' roads remained stable at 5. The current year also recorded 1 fatal crash on a road owned by a 'Local Toll Authority,' which had no incidents in the prior year.

Drivers continued to be the most frequently involved person type in fatal crashes, increasing from 49 in the prior year to 54 in the current year. The number of passengers involved saw a substantial increase from 5 to 17, and pedestrians involved rose from 7 to 9. Additionally, 1 bicyclist and 1 'other' person type were involved in fatal crashes in the current year, compared to none in the prior year.

The number of persons fatally injured (K) increased from 30 in the prior year to 37 in the current year. Persons sustaining serious injuries (A) more than doubled, rising from 3 to 9, and those with minor injuries (B) increased from 6 to 16. Conversely, the count of persons with no injuries (O) decreased from 21 to 16.

The number of persons recorded using 'Shoulder and Lap Belt Used' in fatal crashes increased from 31 in the prior year to 42 in the current year. Concurrently, the count of persons with 'None Used/Not Applicable' safety equipment also rose from 21 to 28. The current year also saw 1 instance of 'Child Restraint Type Unknown' not present in the prior year.

The '12 Clock Point' (front) remained the most common point of impact, increasing from 28 instances in the prior year to 30 in the current year. Impacts at the '6 Clock Point' (rear) decreased from 5 to 2. '11 Clock Point' impacts increased from 2 to 4, and '9 Clock Point' impacts increased from 1 to 4.

Single-vehicle fatal crashes increased from 16 in the prior year to 23 in the current year. Fatal crashes involving two vehicles remained consistent at 11 in both periods. Incidents with three vehicles rose from 2 to 3, while the prior year included 1 fatal crash involving five vehicles, which was not observed in the current year.