HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) shelled out a whopping $29.1 million in federal grant funds for behavioral safety programs across the state. These measures, in line with the Shapiro administration’s declared commitment to public safety, aim to make the commonwealth’s streets safer.
Besides behavioral safety programs, PennDOT has also shown great interest in improving infrastructure. Between 2018 and 2023, it put roughly $482 million from Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program funds into 337 unique safety projects. Another $50 million in state funds were destined for low-cost safety improvements in over a thousand locations, like rumble strips and surface treatments for a better grip.
PennDOT recently revealed that in 2023, traffic fatalities rose to 1,209, a disheartening increase from 1,179 deaths in the previous year. PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll stressed the agency’s commitment to bringing these numbers down to zero. Carroll appealed to citizens to take shared responsibility for safety, urging them to buckle up, slow down, refuse to drive when impaired, and give their undivided attention to the road.
Despite the rise in overall highway deaths, there was some cause for optimism. PennDOT reported fewer fatalities in drunk-driving incidents, accidents at signalized intersections, and unrestrained fatalities.
PennDOT’s efforts seem to be paying off, with fewer fatalities in drinking and drug-related crashes. The organization also distributes nearly $6 million annually for impaired driving enforcement. This ranges from alcohol checks to identifying drivers impaired by illegal drugs or prescription medication.
Fatalities at signalized intersections also decreased, thanks to an investment of $14 million in pedestrian countdown signals at 779 intersections. These are expected to slash all crashes at these locations by around 9%.
The ongoing campaign for seatbelt use also showed progress, with unbelted fatalities hitting a record low. PennDOT is keen to remind motorists of the importance of seatbelts: of the 316 unrestrained fatalities in 2023, it is estimated that 282 could have been avoided if seatbelts were worn.
However, PennDOT has raised alarm about a rise in fatalities among non-motorized road users and motorcyclists, and in head-on or side-swipe crashes.
To tackle the increase in non-motorized fatalities, PennDOT plans to prioritize safety upgrades in regions where pedestrians and cyclists are at most risk. They are also investing $850,000 in new safety education projects in 2024 to reduce the number of bicycle and pedestrian fatalities.
Motorcycle fatalities have surged to a 20-year high. In response, PennDOT offers free motorcycle safety training for Pennsylvania Class M permit and motorcycle license holders.
Fatalities from head-on or side-swipe crashes and lane departure crashes also soared. PennDOT is addressing this by beefing up safety features like rumble strips and high-tension cable median barriers.
Studies suggest poor driving behavior, like driving distracted or aggressively, contributes to 83% of fatal crashes in the state. PennDOT is relentless in its plea to motorists: choose safety over risky driving habits.
For more information about crash data, you can head over to PennDOT’s Pennsylvania Crash Information Tool website. PennDOT’s efforts to improve safety on Pennsylvania’s roads are in full swing.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.