The number of accidents and fatalities involved in energy-related traffic has increased as exploration activity has grown over the past few years. In order to combat the issue, PESA has joined the Energize for Safety Coalition recently established in Oklahoma.
According to the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, (OHSO) in 2016, there were more than 72,000 traffic accidents resulting in 628 fatalities, up from 590 in 2015. More than 2,200 motorists were severely injured in 2016. Nearly half of these accidents occurred in the large, urban areas of the state on city streets, but nearly 10,000 occurred on rural U.S. highways, rural state roads, and county roads. OHSO has noted that in rural Oklahoma in areas with increasing energy production, traffic accidents are trending above the state average.
The organization is partnering with the National Safety Council, the Oklahoma Safety Council, the Oklahoma Secretary of Transportation, and the Oklahoma Secretary of Public Safety to address safety concerns while working to train drivers in the industry and in the local communities on road issues distinct to the oilfield.
To learn more about the coalition, visit their website.
