Pennsylvania Sees Record Low Fatal Crashes, but Speeding and Drunk Driving Persist as Leading Causes
A recent report from PennDOT revealed that 110,765 reported traffic crashes occurred in Pennsylvania last year, resulting in a total of 1,127 fatalities – the second-lowest number since records began in 1928. Although this decrease is a cause for optimism, speeding and drinking under the influence continue to be the most common factors contributing to fatal collisions across the state.
Speeding played a role in the deaths of 357 individuals, accounting for approximately 32% of all fatalities last year. Similarly, alcohol was involved in crashes claiming 244 lives, making up about 22% of total fatalities. Interestingly, alcohol-related deaths declined from 308 in 2023 but remained nearly three and a half times more likely to result in deadly injuries than those unrelated to drinking.
Regrettably, men accounted for approximately 72% of fatal crashes involving alcohol, with around 75% of those who died being victims of drunk driving. In fact, 90% of fatalities related to alcohol occurred in vehicles driven by someone under the influence. Conversely, a positive trend was observed among underage drinkers, as the proportion of alcohol-related crashes involving drivers between 16 and 20 years old decreased from 23% in 2022 to 8% last year.
Heavier traffic during major federal holidays contributed significantly to road fatalities, with a total of 13,103 crashes occurring on such days. The day before Thanksgiving and New Year's Day accounted for the most crashes, while travel around Labor Day tied for more deaths than any other holiday last year. Furthermore, nearly one-third (30%) of traffic deaths during holiday weekends were alcohol-related.
When examining the causes of fatal crashes in Pennsylvania last year, PennDOT identified speeding as the second-most common factor after improper turns, distracted driving, and violations of traffic laws at signals and stops. Unfortunately, more than 46% of people killed in fatal crashes were not wearing seat belts.
Additionally, there has been a concerning increase in collisions between cars and bicycles over the past two years, with 1,271 such incidents reported last year, resulting in 19 cyclist fatalities. Conversely, collisions involving pedestrians decreased to 3,035 from 3,199 in 2023.
PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll welcomed the decrease in traffic fatalities last year but emphasized that education and outreach are essential for improving road safety. "We will only get to zero fatalities when everyone works together," he stated. "Please pay attention when you're driving, always follow the speed limit, and never drive impaired."
A recent report from PennDOT revealed that 110,765 reported traffic crashes occurred in Pennsylvania last year, resulting in a total of 1,127 fatalities – the second-lowest number since records began in 1928. Although this decrease is a cause for optimism, speeding and drinking under the influence continue to be the most common factors contributing to fatal collisions across the state.
Speeding played a role in the deaths of 357 individuals, accounting for approximately 32% of all fatalities last year. Similarly, alcohol was involved in crashes claiming 244 lives, making up about 22% of total fatalities. Interestingly, alcohol-related deaths declined from 308 in 2023 but remained nearly three and a half times more likely to result in deadly injuries than those unrelated to drinking.
Regrettably, men accounted for approximately 72% of fatal crashes involving alcohol, with around 75% of those who died being victims of drunk driving. In fact, 90% of fatalities related to alcohol occurred in vehicles driven by someone under the influence. Conversely, a positive trend was observed among underage drinkers, as the proportion of alcohol-related crashes involving drivers between 16 and 20 years old decreased from 23% in 2022 to 8% last year.
Heavier traffic during major federal holidays contributed significantly to road fatalities, with a total of 13,103 crashes occurring on such days. The day before Thanksgiving and New Year's Day accounted for the most crashes, while travel around Labor Day tied for more deaths than any other holiday last year. Furthermore, nearly one-third (30%) of traffic deaths during holiday weekends were alcohol-related.
When examining the causes of fatal crashes in Pennsylvania last year, PennDOT identified speeding as the second-most common factor after improper turns, distracted driving, and violations of traffic laws at signals and stops. Unfortunately, more than 46% of people killed in fatal crashes were not wearing seat belts.
Additionally, there has been a concerning increase in collisions between cars and bicycles over the past two years, with 1,271 such incidents reported last year, resulting in 19 cyclist fatalities. Conversely, collisions involving pedestrians decreased to 3,035 from 3,199 in 2023.
PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll welcomed the decrease in traffic fatalities last year but emphasized that education and outreach are essential for improving road safety. "We will only get to zero fatalities when everyone works together," he stated. "Please pay attention when you're driving, always follow the speed limit, and never drive impaired."
. It's wild to think that 90% of alcohol-related fatalities happened with drivers under the influence - that's just insane 
. And what's really concerning is that so many people aren't wearing seat belts, it's like they're playing with fire 
. I feel like we need more education and awareness campaigns to get folks to take road safety seriously 
. It's also interesting to see the decrease in crashes involving underage drinkers, that's a positive trend! 
But overall, we still gotta do better on this whole speeding and drunk driving thing 
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. Like, 32% of fatalities were due to speeding, which is crazy high. And those who died from drink-related crashes were mostly men, which is pretty concerning too 
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. And yeah, not wearing seat belts is still super deadly too - 46% of those who died weren't buckled up 
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. I guess we just need to keep pushing for better safety measures and education 
357 people dead from speeding, 244 from booze... what's the story here? 
Are these just common sense things that we need to be reminded of? 
speeding and drunk driving r still major issues tho u would think by now ppl woulda learned but nope they just keep on speeding & drinking n drive like idiots 
anyway i'm more worried bout them cyclist fatalities 19? that's just sad 
these stats are wild! like, what even is that? anyway, its crazy to see that men are still making up 72% of fatal crashes involving booze, that's just a huge disparity. and dont even get me started on ppl not wearing seatbelts, thats just reckless. im all for education & outreach but cmon, we shouldve had zero fatalities by now 
at the same time, we're seeing more crashes between cars and cyclists - 19 cyclist fatalities last year? that's just heartbreaking 
! The fact that 1,127 lives were saved is a huge win 
anyway, it's super sad that speeding and drunk driving are still the main culprits 
especially with men making up like 72% of those who died from alcohol-related crashes...that's just not right 
hopefully more people will take those tips from pennDOT secretary mike carroll seriously & drive safely always 
I'm not surprised to see speeding as a major contributor to fatal crashes in PA 
. and can we pls talk about bike safety for a sec? those numbers are crazy! 19 cyclist fatalities is just too high. need to do more awareness campaigns, not just from gov but all of us 
