Fatal Crashes Figures Steer Clear of Clayton, Richmond Heights

The number of deaths caused by car crashes in St. Louis County is on pace to match last year's first-half total, according to Missouri State Highway Patrol statistics. And fatal crashes have not happened this year in either or .

That county figure bucks the trend set by the rest of the state. The number of fatal crashes in Missouri is up by 62 compared to the first half of last year, according to a June 25 highway patrol news release.

The increase follows six consecutive years of declining fatalities caused by crashes, the release notes. More than two-thirds of the fatalities involved people who weren't wearing a seat belt.

"Please give your full attention to driving. Follow all traffic laws, and remember that seat belts can and do save lives," stated Colonel Ron Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, in the news release.

So far, 21 crashes have led to 22 deaths in St. Louis County this year. That matches the pace set in 2011, and is slightly lower than the crashes and fatalities recorded in 2010.

Clayton doesn't keep data on crashes at individual intersections, said Community Services Officer Korey Golcynski of the . In general, accidents happen on or near the city's busiest highways such as Interstate 170, and at heavily trafficked intersections such as those at Brentwood Boulevard and Clayton Road or Clayton and Hanley roads.

Golcynski cautioned that city-level crash statistics available for perusal online often reflect the nearest intersection rather than the exact site at which an accident occurred.

Clayton police routinely respond to accidents caused by inattentiveness. Drivers crash after making cellphone calls, sending text-messages, adjusting their radios and talking with other people in their vehicle.

"Pay attention to the roadway and try to keep those distractions to a minimum," Golcynski said.

A review of crash data shared by Capt. Doug Schaeffler of the shows the majority of accidents this year in the city happened on Highway 40.

That roadway had experienced a total of 90 crashes as of May. Other high-accident roadways are Brentwood Boulevard (26), Hanley Road (26), Interstate 170 (24), Clayton Road (24) and Big Bend Boulevard (24).

Like Clayton, the city has had no fatal crashes this year. This year in Patch towns, fatal crashes have occurred in Chesterfield (3), Des Peres, Ellisville, Florissant, Maryland Heights (2), Sunset Hills, Town and Country, University City and Wildwood.

Source: Missouri State Highway Patrol.