According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), statewide traffic deaths in Pennsylvania increased to 1,129 last year from the record low of 1,059 in 2019.
Roadway deaths increased approximately 6 percent last year, while traffic counts dropped approximately 20 percent. Despite the increase, 2020 had the second-lowest number of highway fatalities recorded.
“We cannot definitively say why fatalities increased during the COVID-19 pandemic even though it certainly had an impact on traffic volumes statewide,” PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian said. “Over the long term, traffic fatalities are still trending down, but we must continue to work together to make our roads safer for all drivers.”
Certain types of crashes saw fatality increases while other types saw decreases.
Crash fatalities involving speeding increased from 162 in 2019 to 188. Those involving motorcycles increased from 174 in 2019 to 217, those involving local roads increased from 186 in 2019 to 224, and those involving single vehicle run-off-the-road increased from 447 in 2019 to 506.
Crash deaths involving distracted drivers decreased from 62 in 2019 to 47 in 2020. Head-on crashes/opposite direction sideswipe fatalities decreased from 158 in 2019 to 128, and those involving drivers 65 years old or older decreased from 281 in 2019 to 243.
More than 90 percent of crashes are caused by driver behavior, according to national data.
PennDOT is focusing on infrastructure improvements to reduce serious injuries and fatalities further.