Traffic deaths in Pennsylvania reached an all-time low in 2014 with 1,195 fatalities reported on the state’s highways, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
Pennsylvania began keeping traffic death records in 1928. The 2014 tally reflects “significant decreases” of deaths involving unbuckled motorists, drunken driving-related crashes and tree collisions compared to 2013, PennDOT reported. Unbuckled fatalities decreased from 425 to 383, while drunken driver-related deaths fell from 342 to 294 and hit-tree deaths from 254 to 221.
Fatalities increased in some types of crashes, including those involving utility pole collisions (from 103 to 113) and drowsy or sleeping drivers (from 10 to 23).
Fatalities in crashes involving drivers ages 65 and older also increased from 277 in 2013 to 300 last year. To help address safe driving in this age group, PennDOT offers information on approved mature driver improvement courses across the state, advice on speaking with mature drivers and other safety tips on the highway safety information website at www.JustDrivePA.com
The public can now search for finalized crash and traffic fatality data using the new Pennsylvania Crash Information Tool at dotcrashinfo.pa.gov
The tool will not provide access to specific police reports involving roadway crashes. ••
