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Watauga County Crash Data For 2015, Numbers About Average Compared To Recent Years

Last Updated on January 13, 2016 6:33 pm

Though it may appear to followers of WataugaRoads.com/WataugaOnline.com that the number of wrecks in Watauga County are above normal, they are actually about average according to newly compiled data for 2015. In researching data, provided by the North Carolina Highway Patrol and the Boone Police Department, the number of wrecks are up slightly both in town and countywide from 2014 but more closely resemble 2013 figures.

   The North Carolina Highway Patrol responded to a total of 712 wrecks for 2015 county wide. Of those 8 were fatal, 201 were injury related and 503 were property damage. That's compared to:

2014: 3 fatal, 183 injuries, 482 property damage = Total 668

2013: 4 fatal, 185 injuries, 518 property damage = Total 707

Of the three major roads in the county, Highway 421 saw the most incidents for the year with 1 fatality, 52 injury related and 102 property damage for a total of 155. That's compared to:

Highway 321: 2 fatal, 22 injuries, 50 property damage = Total 74

Highway 105: 0 fatal, 32 injuries, 50 property damage = Total 82

In Boone crashes were up from 2014 by a little more than 100. Boone Police responded to a total of 1196 wrecks, compared to 1065 in 2014 and 1169 in 2013.

 Below is data regarding Boone as broken down by year dating back to 2011. Here are the most notable items from the data:

Blowing Rock Road continues to be the most wreck prone portion of Boone. It not only recorded the most incidents, but topped previous history for that stretch of travel.

Highway 105 also reach a new record over the five year span.  There's also a couple of things to keep in mind regarding 105 that may or may not have impacted wreck numbers since 2011. A traffic light at the now former Watauga High entrance was removed when the new school opened in August 2010. Late that year in December a “pedestrian hybrid beacon” crosswalk system was installed by NCDOT near Studio West Apartments/former Geno's & High Country Inn location. In July 2013 a new traffic light was installed at Poplar Grove Road and 105.

Take note that East King Street is also broken down by intersecting points.

2015 Crashes:
Town wide total = 1196
On:
Hwy 105 = 120
Blowing Rock Rd = 186
E King St = 71 (E King x Forest Hill Dr =5, E King x New Market Blvd = 14, E King x Jefferson Rd = 16)

2014 Crashes:
Town wide total = 1065
On:
Hwy 105 = 85
Blowing Rock Rd = 158
E King St = 73 (E King x Forest Hill = 7, E King x New Market Blvd = 14, E King x Jefferson Rd = 11)

2013 Crashes:
Town wide total = 1169
On:
Hwy 105 = 109
Blowing Rock Rd = 134
E King St = 75 (E King x Forest Hill = 8, E King x New Market Blvd = 21, E King x Jefferson Rd = 10)

2012 Crashes:
Town wide total = 1064
On:
Hwy 105 = 92
Blowing Rock Rd = 163
E King St = 77 (E King x Forest Hill = 1, E King x New Market Blvd = 14, E King x Jefferson Rd = 15)

2011 Crashes:
Town wide total = 1098
On:
Hwy 105 = 87
Blowing Rock Rd = 149
E King St = 91 (E King x Forest Hill Dr =3, E King x New Market Blvd = 9, E King x Jefferson Rd = 14)

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