PA State Police Report Drop in Labor Day Driving Period Crashes, Deaths

DUI Arrests, Speeding Citations Increase

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Nine people were killed in crashes investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police during the Labor Day driving period, a drop of seven fatalities compared to the same period last year, Commissioner Frank E. Pawlowski said today.

"We saw a significant decrease not only in the number of persons killed in crashes during this year's holiday driving period, but also a decline in the total number of crashes and resulting injuries," Pawlowski said. "At the same time, troopers made more arrests for driving under the influence and issued more speeding citations compared to a year ago."

In addition to the nine fatalities, 285 people were injured in the 654 crashes to which troopers responded during the Labor Day driving period, which covered Friday through Monday. During last year's Labor Day driving period, 16 people were killed and 412 were injured in 789 crashes investigated by state police.

Pawlowski said troopers this year were taking part in a national crackdown on impaired driving. He noted that 52 of this year's holiday period crashes, including one fatal crash, were alcohol-related. During the same period last year, 90 crashes - including four of the fatal crashes - were alcohol-related.

"Getting behind the wheel after you've been drinking is always a terrible idea," Pawlowski said. "It's clear that lives are saved when those who are impaired stay off the road."

Pawlowski said troopers this year issued 8,312 speeding citations, arrested 427 for driving under the influence, cited 518 for failing to wear seat belts, and issued 66 citations for not securing children in child safety seats.

A year ago, troopers issued 6,371 speeding citations, arrested 334 for DUI, cited 389 for failing to wear seat belts, and issued 55 citations for not securing children in child safety seats.

Pawlowski said seven of the nine persons killed in crashes this year were not wearing seat belts. Last year, 11 of the 16 persons killed were not wearing seat belts.

The crash statistics cover only those incidents investigated by state police and do not include information on crashes to which other law enforcement agencies responded.

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