PHOTOS: Is Driving Becoming More Dangerous in the Hudson Valley?

For the second week in a row, a Hudson Valley Fire Department has reported a "busy" week for vehicle crash responses, leading many residents to believe that the region has reached a new level of danger on local roads.

There are plenty of roads in the Hudson Valley that can pose a challenge to commuters even when they're clear of other drivers (Ulster County announced last week that the famously-treacherous Platte Clove Road is now shut down until the spring, for example). Recent accidents, however, don't seem to be related to road conditions.

Possible Increase of Motor Vehicle Accidents in the Hudson Valley

While the lack of data makes identifying a common theme for recent accidents difficult, many Hudson Valley residents are pointing their fingers at two factors: distracted driving and speeding. A recent post from the Middletown Fire Department reignited the debate.

Middletown Fire Department Experienced "Busy" Week of Accidents

"Been a busy couple weeks with MVA’s here in town", began MFD's post alongside several photos of recent crashed in their jurisdiction (below). The comment section didn't hold back in assigning blame.

Middletown, NY Community Reacts to Motor Vehicle Accidents

"Every time I leave my house I'm doing nothing but trying to avoid accidents in Middletown!", lamented one resident. "I hope nobody was severely injured. But I do see an uptick in motor vehicle accidents both just fender benders and more severe. The people in Middletown need to pay much more attention when they’re on the road", added another. The recent uptick, however, isn't contained to a single town.

Read More: Hudson Valley's Most Notorious Road Closed for the Winter

Reported Increase of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Newburgh, NY

Last week, the Cronomer Fire Department in the Town of Newburgh, NY took to social media to share a similar experience. "We’ve experienced an increase in motor vehicle accidents recently, so we’d like to remind drivers to remain cautious and vigilant when driving on the road!", they wrote (below).

No matter the cause of the recent crashes, the fact remains that fire fighters in the Hudson Valley have been there to respond to the scene. With the majority of local firehouses being entirely staffed by volunteers, departments across the region are always looking to add more residents to their ranks. Learn more about the Cronomer Valley Fire Department here and the Middletown Fire Department here.