Based on numbers over the last three years, Knox County is seeing an increase in motor vehicle rollovers. At the same time, the statewide totals are decreasing, as are vehicle-related fatalities. Entering into another New Year’s weekend, the Maine Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Highway Safety revs up its Survive Your Drive campaign in its attempt to keep the numbers on the downward trend.

In Knox County, law enforcement and emergency responders were alerted to 20 rollovers in 2019; 24 rollovers in 2020; and 26 rollovers as of December 15, and then at least two additional incidents in the last two weeks of December.

In the same years, the number of rollovers across Maine were 1,706 in 2019, but decreased to 1,478 in 2020. As of Dec. 23 of this year, there had been 1,413.

According to Consumer Reports, any vehicle can roll over, and a single-vehicle rollover is usually not caused by a steering maneuver, but from the vehicle “tripping” on something: a curb, a pothole, a soft roadside shoulder.

“The lateral forces increase with speed and also with rapid changes of direction – for example, when a driver makes too sharp a turn one way and then overcorrects the other way,” said Consumer Reports. “Those transitions can set up a pendulum effect, with larger and larger swings and an eventual loss of control.”

The report also said that taller, narrower vehicles such as SUVs, pickups, and vans are more susceptible than traditional cars because they have a higher center of gravity and thus are more top-heavy. And, almost three-quarters of fatal rollovers occur in rural areas on roads where the speed limit is 55 mph or more.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in the CR article, those roads tended to be undivided highways without barriers.

Regarding fatalities (not necessarily related to rollovers) the Maine Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Highway Safety released the following statistics as of December 29, 2021:

Nationally, “more than 20,000 people died on U.S. roads in the first six months of 2021, showing the largest six-month increase ever recorded in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System’s history and putting us on track to have one of the highest years for losses from motor vehicle crashes in recent years,” said MPS-BHS.

In Maine, however, motor vehicle-related fatalities declined in 2021 compared to recent past years. As of Dec. 30, 2021, 149 individuals lost their lives due to motor vehicle-related incidents compared to 164 in 2020, and 157 in 2019. 

“It is hard to pinpoint exactly why some years are higher or lower than others, but this year we increased our public outreach through paid media, social media, and digital media,” said Lauren Stewart, director of Maine’s Bureau of Highway Safety. “Additionally, fewer people were observed driving distracted while using hand-held devices, and 91.8% of people were observed wearing a seat belt. These factors combined may have led to fewer deaths.”

The Maine Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Highway Safety reminds motorists to always drive safely, and especially to drive sober this New Year’s Eve.

“Let’s start the new year out on the right road and continue to see fewer serious and fatal crashes,” Stewart said.

MPS provides tips for responsible choices towards safe driving:

• Plan ahead and depart for your New Year's celebration as early as you can.

• Drive the speed limit even if you're behind schedule and want to reach your New Year's celebration right away.

• Remember that it is never OK to drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Designate a sober driver, plan to stay where you are, or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely.

• Use your defensive driving skills and anticipate potential driving challenges such as weather and road conditions, large animals, and especially be on the lookout for pedestrians.

• Watch out for other impaired drivers. If you see an impaired driver on the road, call 9-1-1- or contact your local police department right away.

As part of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s impaired driving campaign, State and municipal police, and sheriff departments will be stepping up patrols for New Year’s Eve to help ensure the roads are safe for all travelers. As always, there is a zero tolerance for drunk or drugged driving.