Pennsylvania Traffic Study Shows Most Dangerous Days of the Week
Every single day three people are killed in traffic accidents while traveling Pennsylvania’s roadways and the three most dangerous days of the week on the roads are Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Using data provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the organizers behind Keep Highways Safe (KHS) are on a mission to lower the number of fatalities and injuries that occur on the state’s roadways.
The study explores five-year accident trends, economic losses, crashes by age, total crashes by county, types of vehicles involved in crashes and so much more. It also has implications nationwide.
According to KHS, of the 20,327 total crashes, most occurred on Friday, followed by the weekend. Those three days are when more traffic fatalities occurred as well. Crashes and deaths were also higher during peak travel times, specifically between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM.
In 2015, 40% of crash deaths involved passenger car occupants. While there was a 19% decline in alcohol-related deaths over a 5-year period, alcohol use coupled with speeding continued to be big contributors in fatal wrecks, according to the study. In 2015, alcohol-related deaths increased to 345 from 333 alcohol-related deaths in 2014. They also accounted for nearly 30 percent of all traffic fatalities for that same year.
KHS organizers also stress the importance of wearing protective head gear while operating or riding a motorcycle. Plus, it’s the law. Surprisingly, motorcycles represented 1.6% of all vehicle accidents but 18% of all deaths.
In 2015, the economic loss due to traffic crashes was $1,103 to every man, woman and child in Pennsylvania. Out of the 1,200 people who lost their lives in traffic accidents in Pennsylvania in 2015, 205 would have also survived if they’d only been wearing their seatbelt.
“This industry has a responsibility to protect the public’s health and safety on the highways and roads of our nation, as the needs of commerce should never supercede the security of our citizens,” stated Solnick.
To view the interactive study in its entirety, click here.
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