Alleghany ranks high on fatal accidents

Alleghany County ties with five other counties for the largest percentage of fatal crashes involving a tractor-trailer, while ranking second in the largest percentage of fatal crashes involving a motorcycle in 2005, according to highway statistics recently released by AAA Carolinas.

The tenth annual study is based on the number of wrecks, deaths and injuries per mile traveled in each county. The report shows the counties in which motorists have the most and least chances of being in an accident, being injured or being killed.

The top five counties in each division were listed. For the best chance of not being in a collision, the counties, in order, are Polk, Haywood, Swain, Currituck and Scotland. Alleghany ranked No. 21 in this category (with 100 being best). Ashe County ranked 15, Wilkes ranked 37 and Surry ranked 65.

Meanwhile, the counties in which drivers have the best chance of being in a collision, in order, are New Hanover, Durham, Graham, Mecklenburg and Pasquotank. In 2005, New Hanover reported 25 fatal crashes; Durham, 21; Graham, two; Mecklenburg, 75; and Pasquotank, five. Alleghany and its surrounding counties of Ashe, Surry and Wilkes each reported fatal accidents in 2005. Alleghany had two, Ashe had three, Surry had 18 and Wilkes reported nine. With 100 being the safest in this aspect of the study, Alleghany ranks 34, Ashe ranks 75; Surry, 39; and Wilkes, 74.

Other Data

Alleghany County reported a total of 255 wrecks, 162 of which only involved property damage. The county was ranked 21 for property damage only collisions in consideration of vehicle miles traveled in the county. Alleghany reported 91 accidents with injuries during 2005. That figure shows Alleghany ranking No. 18 out the state's 100 counties.

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