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Pennsylvania Alcohol-Related Traffic Fatalities Drop to Record Low

PENNSYLVANIA -- Alcohol-related traffic fatalities dropped to a record low of 450 last year in Pennsylvania, according to State Transportation Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E.

"We are encouraged by the record low number of alcohol-related fatalities," Secretary Biehler said. "Although our efforts to reduce fatalities will never stop, we are pleased to see that the anti-drunk driving message and increased enforcement efforts are paying off."

Alcohol-related fatalities in Pennsylvania decreased from 526 in 2001 to 450 last year. Additionally, heavy truck-related fatalities decreased from 179 in 2001 to 157 last year. Pedestrian fatalities in Pennsylvania also fell from 195 in 2001 to 157 last year.

PENNDOT continues to expand DUI enforcement efforts along with the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) and municipal police departments. PENNDOT is allocating $1.8 million to enforcement efforts such as sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols. PENNDOT also worked to develop regional team DUI task forces that work with community groups to promote anti-drunk driving messages.

In conjunction with the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and other state and private-sector organizations, PENNDOT last year introduced an action plan aimed at reducing heavy truck-related fatalities. The plan called for tougher enforcement of commercial vehicles and stiffer penalties for those commercial vehicles and operators who fail to pass safety inspections.

Despite the good news on alcohol-related and heavy-truck fatalities, overall traffic fatalities in Pennsylvania last year climbed to 1,618, their highest point since 1991, when 1,661 lost their lives in highway crashes.

"My thoughts are with the families of the 1,618 people who were killed last year in highway crashes in Pennsylvania. We will continue to aggressively pursue new ways to make traveling by road safer," Secretary Biehler said.

According to Secretary Biehler, PENNDOT has implemented a number of highway-safety improvements, such as center- and edge-line rumble strips which help curtail cross-over and run-off-the road crashes. PENNDOT also has installed more durable traffic-line markings on interstates to help increase visibility. The Department also regularly works to increase sight distance at intersections, widen road shoulders and remove fixed objects such as utility poles from along the edge of roads.

"Although we will continue to make engineering improvements where they show promise of reducing highway crashes, we call upon the collective efforts of all drivers to drive safely," Secretary Biehler said.