Four traffic-related fatalities occurred within the city of Abilene in January.

This is up from December 2012, during which only one fatal accident occurred. There were no fatal accidents in January 2012. These numbers do not include the Big Country.

On Jan. 3, a pedestrian was killed after being struck by a truck on South First Street.

On Jan. 9, a van and 18-wheeler collided on Interstate 20, fatally wounding the driver of the van.

On Jan. 10, a pedestrian was killed after being struck by a truck on Sayles Boulevard.

On Jan. 26, a man died from injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash.

The Abilene Police Department responded to 274 different vehicular crash incidents in January. George Spindler, APD public information officer, said driving a motor vehicle is one of the most dangerous things one can do on a daily basis.

“There’s no predictability involved in traffic crashes and the stats speak for themselves concerning quantity,” Spindler said. “However, what these stats don’t tell you is that the majority of crashes are typically preventable, though there may be contributing factors.”

At least 10 ACU students have been involved in vehicular accidents in Abilene and the Big Country in the past two weeks. Jimmy Ellison, ACU police chief, said accidents that involve ACU students are difficult to track.

“ACUPD only tracks the traffic incidents which occur on-campus, or those which we respond to within the extended jurisdictional area,” Ellison said.

At around 9:30 Tuesday morning, an ACU student was crossing the intersection between University Church of Christ and campus when he was struck by a vehicle being driven by another ACU student. Names have not been released. Ellison said it is a miracle accidents like this don’t occur more often.