Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Traffic Deaths at Near Record Lows

Traffic deaths in Pennsylvania last year were at the second-lowest total since the state began keeping records 88 years ago.

State transportation officials said Wednesday that car crashes killed 1,200 people in 2015. That's five more than the previous year, which is the lowest total on record.

“We and our safety partners continue to work on infrastructure improvements, as well as promoting the use of education, enforcement and outreach in efforts to influence driver behavior and drive down crash and fatality numbers,” said PennDOT Secretary Leslie Richards. “We strive to meet the national vision of Zero Fatalities knowing that transportation impacts Pennsylvanians daily. We urge the motoring public to be aware of their driving behavior by observing traffic laws, paying attention and using caution.”

PennDOT statistics show that deaths in crashes involving drivers 65 and older dropped from 300 in 2014 to 279 last year. Deaths in crashes at intersections and involving aggressive drivers also decreased last year.

But the data also showed that fatalities in single-vehicle crashes that ran off the road and crashes where drivers hit fixed objects increased in 2015.

PennDOT says it has invested about $50 million over the past five years for low cost safety improvements like pavement markings and rumble strips.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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