Bad news for New Hanover County drivers…

WILMINGTON — As we look toward the future a major concern among residents is traffic. And according to new statistics the news isn’t good for New Hanover County drivers.

This is the eighth consecutive year New Hanover County has been rated the state’s most dangerous county to drive in. And as more and more people move here, officials say this may not change any time soon.

The statistics released today by AAA say New Hanover County has more accidents per miles driven than any of the state’s 100 counties.
Deputy Chief of Police David Conklin says this is because we are a small county with a lot of drivers. He says many people get in accidents simply because they’re not paying attention, or they’re not familiar with the roads.

And as the area continues to grow, so will these issues.

Conklin said, “While I don’t foresee us turning into a northern Virginia, or New York City or major places like that, I do see us becoming more inconvenienced by traffic.”

Conklin says the police department has asked the department of transportation for more signs to help people figure out where they’re going.

A spokesman for the DOT says it is open to discuss these issues further with Wilmington, and New Hanover County.

The DOT also points out that even though New Hanover has a lot of accidents, most are just fender-benders.