Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that in 2022, statewide traffic deaths decreased to 1,179 from 1,230 in 2021. Reportable crashes were also down in 2022, amounting to the second lowest on record since 1951.
Public safety is a top priority of the Shapiro administration. PennDOT's commitment to reducing traffic crashes and fatalities builds on Governor Shapiro's promise to ensure every Pennsylvanian feels safe in their community, including on the roadways.
"Pennsylvania is committed to moving toward zero deaths," said Carroll. "Our biggest priority continues to be safe travel across all transportation modes, and we continue to work with our partners to decrease fatalities through education and enforcement."
PennDOT focuses on data trends to drive enforcement and education improvements and invests approximately $23.5 million annually in federal grant funds statewide to support these behavioral safety programs.
In addition to behavioral safety, PennDOT focuses on infrastructure improvements to roadways in an effort to further reduce fatalities and serious injuries.
Approximately $482 million in Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program funds has been invested in 337 unique safety projects from 2017 to 2022. During that same timeframe, another $50 million of state funds was invested in low-cost safety improvements at over a thousand of locations. Examples of low-cost safety countermeasures include centerline and edge-line rumble strips and high friction surface treatments.
"It certainly is good news that our fatalities are decreasing, but they are still too high," said Acting PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. "One life lost is one too many, especially if the death could have been prevented. Safety is everyone's responsibility. We owe it to each other to slow down and pay attention when we're driving because these unsafe behaviors put everyone's life at risk. And buckle up! Your seat belt is your best defense against reckless drivers."
With the overall decrease in traffic deaths, fatalities in several crash types reached new lows. These numbers indicate that Pennsylvania is rebounding from the high number of traffic crashes and fatalities seen nationwide throughout the pandemic.
Fatalities in crashes involving speeding (second lowest in more than 20 years) – 169 fatalities, down from 201 in 2021.
Fatalities in hit fixed object crashes (second lowest in more than 20 years) – 361 fatalities, down from 397 in 2021.
Unrestrained fatalities (third lowest in more than 20 years) – 354 fatalities, down from 378 in 2021.
Fatalities in crashes involving a 16–17-year-old driver (fourth lowest in 20 years) – 28 fatalities, down from 45 in 2021.
Bicyclist fatalities (second lowest in 10 years) – 15 fatalities, down from 24 in 2021.
Fatalities in local road crashes (second lowest in five years) – 196 fatalities, down from 214 in 2021.
While the overall number of highway deaths decreased last year, increases w