PennDOT Crash Data
Deadly crashes were up in Pennsylvania last year, according to new data from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. NBC 10 Philadelphia reported recently that 1,208 people were killed in commonwealth road crashes last year, up about 2.5% from the previous year.
The data included numbers reaching unprecedented heights:
- Motorcycle accidents hit a 20-year high at 238 fatal crashes.
- Head-on collisions and opposite direction side swipes reached a 15-year peak at 197.
- Lane departure crashes hit a 5-year high at 606.
- Deaths of pedestrians and cyclists also increased last year: there were 222 non-motorized fatalities in 2023, up from 199 the previous year.
Dangerous driving behaviors were the leading factor in 83% of the fatal crashes. This included speeding, impaired driving, aggressive and distracted driving. However, drunken driver crashes did go down from 286 in 2022 to 265 in 2023—possibly a result of NHTSA’s focus to enforce impaired driving, noted the article.
“Traffic deaths are preventable,” noted PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll, who calls the incidents crashes, not accidents. “These behaviors are choices. Drivers don't intend to cause a crash, but their choices kill innocent victims every day. Choose to do the right thing because your choices are no accident."
If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident in the Philadelphia region, or a loved one was the victim of a traffic fatality, there is absolutely no consultation fee to speak with a top Philadelphia car accident attorney about the case. Contact us to set a time to meet and discuss your legal options.