93.3 KWTO Keeping Watch Over the Ozarks
It’s a record the city of Springfield wishes it had not set: a record 27 traffic fatalities in 2020.
That’s the most ever on city streets, with nearly half of those deaths, 13, involving motorcyclists.
Nine people died from crashes involving cars or trucks, and five pedestrians were killed when being hit by vehicles.
Police Chief Paul Williams says back in the spring, during the stay at home order, fewer drivers were on the road, leading people to believe they could drive faster. He says motorcyclists absolutely contribute to that.
He says officers will be patrolling some of the more dangerous areas where pedestrians are hit by cars in an effort to increase enforcement in 2021.