PennDOT: Traffic fatalities statewide decline in 2024 as crash deaths climb in Erie County
Traffic fatalities in Pennsylvania dropped statewide in 2024 over the previous year, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.
But Erie County's fatal traffic crashes climbed, according to data from PennDOT and the Erie County Coroner's Office.
According to data released by PennDOT on May 1, 1,127 people died in crashes on Pennsylvania roadways in 2024, a decrease of 82 from the previous year. Notable drops were seen in areas including motorcycle fatalities, down 19 from 2023; pedestrian fatalities, down eight from the previous year; and fatalities in alcohol-related crashes, which dropped from 307 in 2023 to 244 in 2024, according to information in PennDOT's Pennsylvania Crash Information Tool.
Areas where traffic fatalities increased statewide, PennDOT reported, include intersection crashes, which increased by 20 over 2023; and crashes at intersections with a stop sign, which increased by 13.
Deadly day in Erie: 2 killed in car-motorcycle crash hours after fatal accident, shooting
PennDOT's data listed 36 traffic fatalities in Erie County in 2024, up from 30 in 2023. It was the highest number of traffic fatalities in the county, as charted by PennDOT, since 39 traffic fatalities were recorded in 2010.
Motorcycle and pedestrian fatalities remained the same in 2024 as they were recorded in 2023, according to the agency's data sheets. The most notable increase in PennDOT's data for Erie County was in fatalities at intersection crashes, which climbed from six in 2023 to 17 last year.
The Erie County Coroner's Office investigated 23 motor vehicle deaths in 2024, up from 18 the previous year; 13 motorcycle deaths, up from 12 in 2023; and six pedestrian deaths, down from eight in 2023, according to Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook and data his office previously released.
The Erie Bureau of Police is about to employ new tools to help combat speeding, a common factor cited by city police accident investigators in fatal crashes.
Police Chief Dan Spizarny said the bureau recently purchased three portable speed signs through federal grant funding, and the police will post those signs in certain areas to track the flow of traffic and speed of motorists.
The signs, which utilize radar, will flash to motorists the speed they are traveling as they approach and pass the signs. But they will also capture data on the number of vehicles traveling through the area and the speeds those vehicles are traveling, to help in determining which areas police may target for enforcement, Spizarny said.
Please enable Javascript to view this content.
"We can't write a ticket based on the radar because we are not allowed to, but it gives us information and lets us know what we are seeing on blocks as far as traffic and speeds," he said.
The signs are expected to be put on display at an upcoming news conference in which Erie police and PennDOT will announce an aggressive driving campaign, according to Spizarny.
Various other traffic enforcement efforts conducted by Erie police will continue, officials said, including enforcement of school zones and addressing speeding complaints in neighborhoods. Erie police are also continuing specialized patrols along East 38th Street, an enforcement effort launched in 2024 in the wake of two serious traffic accidents along the roadway.
Pennsylvania State Police troopers will again assist Erie police in the East 38th Street targeted enforcement effort, said Lt. Gary Garman, patrol section supervisor for state police Troop E in Lawrence Park Township.
More: Erie police charge city men with street racing on East 38th that led to serious May crash
Garman said troopers will also do a number of other traffic enforcement details in the Erie region, as they regularly do each year. They include a Click it or Ticket campaign over Memorial Day and at least 13 DUI checkpoints the troop does each year, he said.
Contact Tim Hahn at thahn@timesnews.com. Follow him on X @ETNhahn.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Despite drop in traffic deaths statewide, Erie County's 2024 deaths up
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Erie police officer, police dog escape serious injury in May 31 crash on city's east side
An Erie Bureau of Police officer and his K-9 partner escaped serious injury but their vehicle was heavily damaged when police said an unlicensed driver crashed into them on Erie's east side on May 31. According to Police Chief Dan Spizarny, the officer and his canine partner were traveling south on Parade Street on May 31 when another vehicle struck them. The other vehicle, which police said was driven by a 24-year-old woman, was making a left turn when she crashed into the Chevrolet Tahoe police vehicle at about 9:50 p.m. May 31, Deputy Chief William Marucci said. The impact caused all of the police vehicle's airbags to deploy, police reported. The officer and the dog were shaken up but not seriously injured, according to Spizarny and Marucci. The driver of the other vehicle was found to be driving without a license and was taken for chemical testing, Spizarny and Marucci said. Erie police on June 2 were still awaiting word on whether the Chevolet Tahoe was totaled in the crash, Marucci said. No charges had been filed in the crash as of June 2. The K-9 officer, his dog and the Chevrolet Tahoe have been working patrol shifts in Erie for about a month. Erie police obtained the dog and two other Belgian Malinois police dogs, along with patrol vehicles and other associated equipment, through state grant funding. The dogs and their handlers underwent training in Ohio before hitting the streets in Erie in early May, Marucci said. More: Erie police have three new K-9 officers. When they'll be on patrol Each of the dogs is trained in patrol duties, and two of the dogs are also trained for drug detection and one is additionally trained for explosives and gun detection, police reported. Contact Tim Hahn at thahn@ This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie police officer, police dog escape serious injury in crash
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Bill OBoyle: Paul Miller's Law really is about saving lives
Jun. 1—WILKES-BARRE — PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll this week said Paul Miller's Law is about saving lives. Carroll is absolutely correct — if, and only if, people listen to what he said. And to what Paul Miller Jr.'s mother has said over and over again since her son was killed as a result of a distracted driver. And trust me on this, Eileen Miller's advocacy is not over — she will always fight to convince all drivers to not text and drive and she will also advocate for stronger penalties for those who refuse to comply. "Your choices behind the wheel can change lives forever," Carroll said. "Make the safe choice. Put your phone out of reach and don't text and drive. One text, one glance down — it could kill someone. And it's not worth it." Paul Miller's Law takes effect on Thursday , June 5 — making it illegal to use a hand-held cell phone while driving. Gov. Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill 37 into law on June 5, 2024 — and now, one year later, Paul Miller's Law goes into effect to prohibit the use of hand-held devices while driving, even while stopped temporarily due to traffic, a red light or other momentary delay. Under Paul Miller's Law, drivers can still use their phones to alert emergency responders and — if they are using hands-free technology — to make phone calls, use a GPS and listen to music. The law is named for Paul Miller Jr., who was tragically killed in a crash with a tractor-trailer in 2010 in Monroe County, as the result of a distracted driver who reached for their phone while driving. Since his death, Paul's mother Eileen Miller has become a national advocate for stronger laws to curb distracted driving. Listen to how this devastating news would inspire Paul's mom to become the loudest voice advocating for drivers to use common sense behind the wheel. She never wants any other parent to experience what she and her husband, Pail Sr., have endured. "Nearly 15 years ago, two Dunmore state troopers knocked on my door to tell me that my son was killed," said Mrs. Miller. "My son did everything right — he was killed by someone else's unsafe choices behind the wheel. This law is for every family in Pennsylvania that doesn't have to experience two state troopers knocking on their door to tell them that their loved one was killed by distracted driving. Paul Miller's Law will be a beacon of protection for every driver and passenger in Pennsylvania." PSP Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris said the Pennsylvania State Police will enforce the new law to its full extent. "Distracted driving is not a minor offense," Col. Paris said. "Just one second of inattention can result in irreversible consequences. We urge all drivers to stay focused behind the wheel." According to PennDOT data, in 2024 there were 9,950 crashes involving a distracted driver, resulting in more than 6,000 injuries and 49 fatalities. Distracted driving crash data, however, is believed to be under-reported due to many drivers' reluctance to admit to being distracted at the time of a crash. Safe driving tips —If you are expecting a text message or need to send one that can't wait, pull over and park your car in a safe location before using your device. —Ask a passenger to be your "designated texter." Allow them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages. —Do not engage in social media scrolling or messaging while driving. —Cell phone use is habit-forming. Struggling to not text and drive? Activate your phone's "do not disturb" feature, silence notifications or put your phone in the trunk, glove box or back seat of your vehicle until you arrive at your destination. Cell phone use is not the only distraction while driving. Anything that takes your attention away from driving, your eyes off the road or your hands off the wheel is a distraction. Driver behavior is the leading factor in 83% of the crashes that occur annually in Pennsylvania. These behaviors include driving distracted, impaired or aggressive. For information on distracted driving, visit As Carroll said, and as Eileen Miller passionately believes, Paul Miller's law will save lives. That should be enough for all drivers to obey this law. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Electric Car Secrets No One Talks About
Owning an EV can be like a marquee signing for your sports team; the right one is a game-changer. Nonetheless, we can agree there are many stories of woe out there. For instance, finding charging stations in some regions may cost multiple hours searching or waiting for a charge. Repeat this on a weekly basis, and you have a problem. It is an example of how, for some, buying an EV comes with hidden truths that might have discouraged them otherwise. Of course, some realities are manageable. However, even for the most diligent EV driver, there are unhidden truths — or costs — they didn't consider before buying. Put simply, knowing what to expect will help you avoid these pitfalls. The truth is king in this world, and we aim to bring full disclosure about the intricacies of EV ownership. There is a network of fantastic online commentators from the auto world whose opinions matter; we have looked at what they say on the matter. However, this insight also comes from the real owners in forums across the EV map. By scouring the virtual public square, we can garner what EV drivers are saying about buying, driving, and maintaining their EVs. What electric car secrets do people need to know? If you think an EV is your ticket to more on-road entitlements than gas-powered vehicle owners, think again. A 6abc Philadelphia story in April 2025 announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will now charge electric vehicle (EV) owners annual road taxes. While motorists have traditionally paid this at the pump, EV owners will pay a $200 fee, rising to $250 in 2026, states the news report. Until now, states have been experimenting with how they charge EV owners for federal transportation taxes, upping registration fees, for one. Others, like Pennsylvania, will instead charge higher taxes — more severe than gas-powered cars, in some cases. Consumer Reports found in January 2025 that proposed fees for 19 states were far more punitive for EV owners than gas-powered motorists. In general, EVs will save the owner money in the long term — roughly half, if this Forbes article can be believed. In contrast, parts can be a headache, costing more and being harder to locate for older models. An example is that tires on many EVs must contend with a far heavier battery, more torque, and quicker acceleration. According to Kelley Blue Book, EV tires wear out 20% faster than regular gas-powered car tires. 'Since there are fewer choices for electric vehicle tires,' reads the KBB guide, 'you will pay a higher price for four new tires.' It is something all prospective EV drivers should also know. While Lucid Air Grand Touring owners can boast 518 miles of range on a single charge, some EVs might only get you one-third of that. Obviously, you are asking for trouble going anywhere long-range without first mapping out the journey for charging stations. EV forums are awash with stories of getting almost stranded or doubling road trip times. Of course, Tesla is way ahead of the curve with its Go Anywhere road trip planning app, and things are improving all the time for others. Nonetheless, a 2024 PlugInAmerica survey found that public charging infrastructure was a concern for over half of the respondents. Even if you live in suburbia, you need a car that suits your medium-range needs, so buying a Fiat 500e would be brave. AutoWeb's Brady Holt reviewed the 2024 version. While he praised the car's performance, style, and comfort, he also gave it a revealing descriptor of 'errand-running range.' If you plan a daily commute on the Interstate, the chances are you will need to drive an average of 70 mph. Your Subaru Solterra's 228 upper range might be good on paper. As Car and Driver explains in its review, the reality is different: more like 200 miles. You've just got your new EV, so you get to charge it fully as soon as you get home. However, this would be bad advice, according to the consensus on charging matters. A SmartCharge guide explores the many nuances of EV battery care, not least choosing the right charging level for daily use. 'Rely on your private level 1 charger to charge overnight,' reads the post. 'If needed, use a level 2 or level 3 fast charging station to supplement your charge on the go.' Furthermore, newcomers must research their car's capabilities. Keeping the battery within the 20-80% rule is widely considered the best route to battery longevity. If you live in a large city, owning a vehicle, let alone an EV, can be very hard. It is possible for those with the capacity for home charging, and even some tower blocks might have subterranean charging ports. However, other owners have to get in line at their local charging stations, often for much longer than they want. It's easy for us, the gas-powered masses, to scoff at those EV advocates. Some might giggle at the images of people lining up at 11 pm for a charger, like this classic TikTok shot in Burbank, California. Let's not get too carried away because technology is improving fast, and those waiting times will fall soon. An argument you will often hear from EV-resistant debaters is that switching to EVs isn't as clean-energy-oriented as we might think. The hypothesis is that electricity generation has to come from somewhere, usually a fossil fuel. They would be half-right, too. A Department of Energy report shows that it depends on the quality of the energy used. For instance, a car charging on West Virginia's 86% coal-fired electricity will generate more emissions than one in California. The Golden State gets over half its power from renewables. California needs over one million public charging stations installed by 2030 to meet demand — a pipe dream, says Alejandro Lazo of CalMatters. There are several reasons EVs lose value so quickly compared to gasoline vehicles. Most importantly, EV technology makes such huge advances each year that even recent car models can look dated. Like a Hollywood starlet, an EV's visual appeal shelf life is fleeting, soon forgotten for a fresh-faced newcomer. A Motor1 post surfaced recently, revealing the 10 fastest-depreciating EVs in the US marketplace. Sadly for the 2019 Jaguar I-Pace, used buyer confidence must be low — we won't get into these reasons. Nevertheless, these EVs lose up to 72.5% on average over five years, which resembles a $51,953 difference in MSRP, according to the post. One day in the future, charging hubs might resemble the gas stations of today, though at least gas stations are plentiful. Most EV news hounds will have seen videos of charging station confrontations. One such video posted on X recently shows a skirmish between two Tesla drivers, one accusing the other of line jumping. Of course, these events aren't too common, and most visits to charging hubs will go swimmingly. However, as EV adoption rolls out across the country, we can probably expect to see more people go head-to-head in the pursuit of those sweet kilowatts. The Department of Energy predicts the need for 28 million charging stations by 2030, and the country is nowhere near this projection. What's more, an Axios report confirms that President Trump will be halting Federal spending on the previous administration's costly rollout. There appears to be no shortage of irony as an EV owner, including the fact that you probably cough up more than internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle owners. A recent report from AAA unpacks why this is possibly the case. Higher vehicle value, more niche repair procedures, and unique risks like cybersecurity threats all contribute to these costs. What's more, replacing EVs isn't as simple as their analog cousins. Finding a spare part for a limited vehicle fleet makes replacements more expensive. It all makes grim reading for Tesla owners reeling from the recent spate of nationwide vandalism. Even those unaffected will feel the sting. Three out of five Tesla owners will pay an average of $340 increase per year, according to auto insurance firm Guardian Service. In the wise words of Joni Mitchell: 'You don't know what you've got till it's gone.' One must be careful not to just see greener grass across the river if their living situation doesn't allow it. Buying an EV could help you land in motoring Heaven or a logistical nightmare, depending on the approach and conditions. It's pertinent to navigate the real world with this understanding of what to expect. Of course, while these observations may seem anti-EV, this isn't the intention. We just want future EV owners to know what they may have in store. Happy charging.
