The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has compiled the 2009 data that determines the number of car accident deaths on Pennsylvania‘s highways. We are happy to share with you the record breaking results.

In 2009 the number of fatalities as a result of Pennsylvania car accidents was 1,256. This is remarkable because it is the lowest recorded number of Pennsylvania car accident fatalities since 1928, the first year records were kept. The second lowest number of Pennsylvania accident fatalities was 1,328, recorded in 1944. The number of car accident deaths in 2008 was 1,468. That is a decline of 1,680 traffic accident fatalities in one year’s time!

The 3 most prevalent causes of Pennsylvania car accident deaths, as determined by PennDOT studies, are related to lack of use seat belt and child restraints, alcohol use/DUI (driving under the influence), and aggressive driving. Between 2008 and 2009 traffic deaths in the category of unrestrained individuals decreased by 116, those car accident deaths involving alcohol use declined by 89, while deaths thought to be caused by aggressive driving dropped by 11.

This achievement in reducing car accident deaths is due to a concerted effort among PennDOT, Pennsylvania State and local law enforcement, and other safety groups who work hard to educate the public on safe driving habits, as well as enforce current traffic laws. PennDOT put $11 million of federal funding toward enforcement programs to combat aggressive and impaired driving. This funding allowed 396 Pennsylvania police departments to carry out enforcement programs for aggressive driving and gave 600 police departments the wherewithal to conduct 3,000 programs to enforce against impaired driving.

PennDOT also puts about $10 million per year toward safety engineering improvements, such as centerline road rumble strip installation, traffic signalization, better signage, and utility pole relocations. These improvements are all very effective, as well as low cost. For example, a study conducted from 2000-2004 showed that there was a 35-50% reduction in the number of car accidents that occurred at the sites where center-line rumble strips had been laid and a 20-30% decrease in the number of Pennsylvania car accidents where shoulder rumble strips had been installed.

Though the overall number of Pennsylvania highway car accident deaths has gone down considerably, there is one category of drivers that has seen an increase in the number of fatalities over the last year. The age group comprised of those 65 years of age and older experienced an increase in the number of fatal highway accidents, with 276 in 2009 as compared to 259 in 2008. If you have friends or family members in this age group who continue to drive, you may be interested in referring them to the courses offered by PennDOT in their Mature Driver Improvement program. For more information, visit www.DriveSafePA.org.

PennDOT’s goal is to save at least one hundred more lives each year by way of its safety programs and enforcement initiatives. They remind us of the simple steps every motorist and passenger can take in order remain safe and help maintain the safety of others on the road: always wear seatbelts, do not ever drive after drinking, and obey the speed limit.

If you are a Pennsylvania car accident victim who sustained injuries due to someone else’s carelessness, you may be entitled to compensation. Telephone the office of Michael L. Saile, Jr. to set up a free personal injury consultation.