OTA refutes claim of misinformation on I-35 traffic collisions

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date Jan. 11, 2023
Press Release # 003-23

OTA refutes claim of misinformation on I-35 traffic collisions

Individuals representing a group opposed to the state building reliever routes for I-35 traffic south of the Oklahoma City metro have, on numerous occasions and as recently as OTA’s January board meeting, publicly challenged traffic collision data the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority uses, calling it “imaginary” and “inflated.”  In fact, motorists traveling along I-35 south of I-40 to Purcell face multiple delays daily due to traffic collisions, from a simple fender bender to a fatal crash.

Data from the Department of Public Safety from 2019* collected by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation prove, on average, five crashes occur each day along that south corridor, which can drastically increase travel time and minimize travel time reliability. These statistics are neither imaginary nor inflated and directly contradict the falsely reported .3 crashes daily. It’s worth noting, the five collisions daily do not include unreported incidents when drivers simply exchange insurance information. 

Through the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, the OTA is sharing this collision data with the public. By statute, ODOT collects such data to help pinpoint problem areas. Based upon historic collision and census data, traffic consulting engineering firm EST (see attachment below) projects traffic flow on I-35 between I-40 and Purcell will slow substantially by 2050 if a reliever route is not built and other ancillary measures taken. In only seven years, motorists driving during peak travel times will experience a significant increase in stop-and-go conditions, causing a shockwave in traffic delays.

Another repeated accusation by turnpike protestors contends state transportation officials overstate safety concerns. Safety concerns cannot be overstated and are supported by data. We should all be concerned as our friends, colleagues and family use these highways. Safety is the top priority for OTA and ODOT, which work together sharing resources to provide motorists the safest roads possible as resources allow.

*2019 data provides the best representation of traffic volume pre-pandemic.

Please click everyone's seat belt each and every time you drive.

Check www.oktraffic.org for real-time traffic information

OTA strongly discourages texting or tweeting while driving.