Andover Saw Continued Record-High Crash Rates In 2019

ANDOVER, MA — There were 1,196 motor vehicle crashes in Andover last year, basically level with 1204 in the previous year. The last two years saw the highest crash rates since 2007, the first year the Massachusetts Department of Transportation is available. 2017 is the only other year when the town saw more than a thousand crashes.

The tableau in the number of crashes in Andover bucks state trends. Across Massachusetts, the total number of crashes dropped slightly in 2019 and 2018 after increasing in each of the eight previous years. Meanwhile the number of crashes in Andover has fairly steadily increased since 2011.

In 2019, there were four crashes with fatal injuries, 12 serious injury crashes, and 101 crashes with minor injuries. 115 crashes had possible or unknown injuries, according to the data. The good news: the bulk of the crashes, 964, saw no injuries.

199 of Andover's crashes last year were "younger driver related," and 163 were "older driver related." There were also five pedestrian-related crashes, two bicyclist-related crashes, and 10 motorcycle-related crashes.

According to intersection data from 2014-2016, the latest period it is available, the three locations with the most crashes were: the Route 28 Ramp to I-495 Northbound from the Union Street, North Street and Mount Vernon Street, and Dascomb Road. Crashes were measured in "Equivalent Property Damage Only."

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.