According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), deaths on Pennsylvania roadways increased by nine percent (9%) last year. There were 1,230 traffic fatalities in 2021, compared to 2020, which had 1,219 deaths. Crashes involving lane departures accounted for nearly one-half of highway fatalities across the state, with 596 such collisions, up from 551 in 2020. Speeding, impaired, and distracted driving are the leading factors in lane departure crashes. There was a slight decrease overall with regard to fatal crashes involving impaired driving, with 450 such crashes in 2021 compared to 471 in 2020. Although impaired driving fatalities have decreased over the past 15 years, driving after imbibing alcohol or utilizing drugs remained high and accounted for thirty-five percent (35%) of driving fatalities in 2021. There were 182 pedestrian fatalities in 2021, up from 146 in 2020.
Other areas where deaths on the streets and roads of Pennsylvania increased in 2021 from 2020 include:
- Drivers on junior licenses (16 and 17 year olds): 45 deaths, up from 26.
- Aggressive driving: 126 deaths, up from 91.
- Fatalities involving motorcycles: 226 deaths, up from 217.
- Heavy truck: 156 deaths, up from 122.
- Drivers or passengers not wearing seatbelts: 378 deaths, up from 348.
The lawyers at Liever, Hyman & Potter, P.C., are concerned for the safety of drivers and passengers in cars, trucks, and buses, as well as pedestrians, as they travel on the roads, streets, and highways throughout the area, including in Berks County, Schuylkill County, Lebanon County, Montgomery County, and Lancaster County. The personal injury attorneys serve car, motorcycle, and tractor trailer accident victims and their families in claims and cases involving serious injury and death caused by the negligence of others. The lawyers at the firm also handle work comp, medical malpractice, and nursing home neglect cases.
From the desk of Adam K. Levin, Esquire