The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced that in 2018, statewide traffic deaths increased to almost 1,200 from the record low of a little more than 1,100 in 2017.
Last year was the third-lowest number of highway fatalities recorded and overall fatalities continue to trend downward. In Jefferson County there were 5 fatalities, 80 percent of which were not wearing a seatbelt. Indiana County had 10 fatalities last year, 30 percent of which involved impaired drivers. Clarion County saw eight fatalities, 63 percent of which were speeding crashes and 63 percent of which involved impaired drivers.
According to national data, more than 90 percent of crashes are caused by driver behavior.
Additional info can be found at PennDOT.gov/safety.
