West Virginia
State transportation chief says new initiatives will focus on driving behavior – WV MetroNews
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State Transportation Secretary Jimmy Wriston is hinting at new initiatives to be introduced in the months to come that will focus on driving behaviors and training state residents years before they get behind a wheel.
“These are going to be dealing with–we call them–the behavioral issues, the way we operate our vehicles on the highway. That’s the critical part of this,” Wriston said during a recent edition of the WVDOT’s “On the DOT” podcast.
Wriston said there have been good initiatives over the years backed by the Governor’s Highway Safety Fund and various police agencies who have spent extra time trying to slow drivers down but it’s time for a culture change when it comes to driving.
“We have to start young. We have to build the education up on how to drive, that’s all there is to it. How you do this and not get killed,” he said.
MORE 2023 Governor’s Highway Safety Program Annual Report
According the 2023 Governor’s Highway Safety Program Annual Report, there were 207 traffic fatalities in West Virginia after nine months of last year. The state ended the 2022 colander year at 266 fatalities. Motorcycle fatalities were also up according to the latest annual report.
The report also said, “Pedestrian fatalities are a growing concern in West Virginia. These fatalities decreased from 36 to 21 between 2021 and 2022, but the five-year rolling average exceeded the target.”
The report listed a significant increase in deadly crashes of those not wearing seatbelts from 77 deaths in 2021 to 147 deaths in 2022.
Wriston said it’s time for an all-out effort to address the issue of driving behavior.
“This is serious. A mistake out there on that highway takes a minute and bad things happen quickly but the results of them can last a lifetime,” Wriston said. “We’ve got to really attack this and we’ve got to stay committed to it.”
Wriston predicts results.
“We’ve really focused on safety, particularly in our work zones, now we are committed,” he said. “We’re going to get results. We are going to take fatalities on our roads to zero. We’re going to make sure when accidents happen, when crashes happen, people have a better chance to survive.”
Oklahoma State’s defense has had major issues throughout the first month of the season and hasn’t had the best of luck with health either. Saturday afternoon, McClain Baxley of 247 Sports reported that star linebacker Nick Martin has been ruled out for today’s game against West Virginia with a knee injury.
Martin is Oklahoma State’s second-leading tackler with 47 stops to go along with two passes defended, one fumble recovery, and one forced fumble. Last season, Martin led the entire Big 12 Conference with 140 tackles and earned first-team All-Big 12 honors. Fellow linebacker Collin Oliver and defensive lineman Kody Walterscheid each went down earlier this season, really putting a dent in the Cowboys’ front seven.
Entering this evening’s game, Oklahoma State ranks 15th out of 16 teams in the Big 12 in pass defense, allowing 276.4. yards per game and sits dead last in rushing defense, giving up 204.2 yards per game.
West Virginia and Oklahoma State will kick things off at 4 p.m. EST on ESPN2.
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A West Virginia coal miner died on the job on Friday, according to Gov. Jim Justice.
The miner has been identified as Colton Walls, 34, of Bruceton Mills, NBC affiliate WSAZ reports. He leaves behind a wife and three children.
Walls worked as a longwall electrician at the Arch Coal, Leer Mining Complex in Taylor County, which is less than two hours from Pittsburgh.
“Our miners are the backbone of West Virginia, and every loss we experience hits us to our deepest cores,” Gov. Justice said. “The heart and soul of West Virginia are found in our coal miners, and today, we grieve the loss of one of our own. I’m told that Mr. Walls was truly dedicated, hardworking, and brave, and I know he’ll be dearly missed by many. It’s moments like these that remind us of the incredible sacrifices made by those who have the courage to be a miner. So, please hold his family and loved ones close in your hearts tonight. Cathy and I will continue to keep him and all our other miners in our prayers.”
The West Virginia Office of Miners’ Health, Safety, and Training and the Mine Safety and Health Administration are handling the investigation.
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