Traffic fatalities in 2020 second-lowest on record: PennDOT
Updated 10:56 AM;
Overall traffic fatalities continue to trend downward, officials said.
“Even one life lost is one too many, and Pennsylvania is committed to moving toward zero deaths,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “Our biggest priority continues to be safe travel regardless of the mode you use, and we continue to work with our partners to decrease fatalities through educational outreach, the latest innovations, effective enforcement, and low-cost safety improvements.”
PennDOT officials expect I-81 south to be closed for four to six hours as crews reconstruct a fatal crash. Photo: Mark Pynes
There was less traffic on the roads in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, but roadway deaths were up 6 percent in 2020 compared to 2019. That number is in line with an overall preliminary report recently released by the National Safety Council, which showed that motor vehicle deaths were up 8 percent.
Some Republican state lawmakers want to halt the Pennsylvania Department of Transportationâs plan to toll several bridges, including the I-83 South Bridge in Dauphin County.A group of senators introduced legislation Thursday to void the Major Bridge P3 Initiative. Under the initiative, tolls would be added to nine aging bridges in Pennsylvania to cover the costs of reconstruction or replacement. Since this was announced, I ve heard a very loud cry from the people of my district, Sen. Mike Regan (R-31) said.Regan, who is one of the lawmakers backing the bill, said many people in Cumberland and York counties cross the I-83 South Bridge multiple times a day. Now theyâre going to pay $500, $1,000, $1,500 a year additionally, just going to work, when theyâre just getting back to work, he said.Regan also said heâs worried that drivers trying to avoid tolls could cause traffic problems on local roadways. People are going to be crowding the streets of Camp Hill, Le