El Paso Municipal Court reports a rise in traffic deaths and crashes

EL PASO, Texas (KVIA) -- The El Paso Municipal Court continues to warn drivers against speeding. According to the court's X page, traffic crashes and deaths are on the rise.

Thanks to our partners for this video. Speeding is never the right answer. Traffic accidents and fatalities are on the rise. Please help put an end to speeding. Click the video and link below. #nomorespeeeding #endthestreak https://t.co/Gswwmh6UqS

— ElPasoMunicipalCourt (@ElPasoMuniCourt) January 31, 2024

Nine traffic fatalities have been reported this year so far.

According to El Paso Police, some of the crashes that have turned deadly have involved intoxicated drivers.

The court is encouraging El Paso drivers to drive safely.

Lisa Brown, the owner of A2B Driving School, said there are more distractions.

"People trying to multitask when they're driving, which driving is multitasking in itself. And they're trying to do too many things because our lives are so busy that they're trying to get everything done and they're using the car time to be able to do that, too, which makes them not pay attention so much to the road. 

Lisa Brown, the owner of A2B Driving School, said there are more distractions.

"People trying to multitask when they're driving, which driving is multitasking in itself. And they're trying to do too many things because our lives are so busy that they're trying to get everything done, and they're using the car time to be able to do that, too, which makes them not pay attention so much to the road," she said. 

Brown also said more people are in a hurry, which leads to crashes. 

"I think our lives are busier, and we spend more time in our car. Our cars are more advanced. They do more for us. So we expect to do more in the car. Lives are more busy, roads are more crowded, more pedestrians. There's just your own life is multitasking."

She said she uses real world examples to teach her students.

Commander Jerome Washington with the El Paso County Sheriff's Office said they see different trends on the roads. 

"Some of the big trends is just, you know, not driver inattention, just the heavy traffic and combining that with, you know, driver inattention, looking at other vehicles as they're trying to move along, people moving hastily, cutting in between, in and out of traffic, trying to get to their destination, but in doing so, causing accidents," Washington said. 

They said they are working to combat this issue. 

"With more technology, we have deployed some equipment that helps us with traffic surveys."