Pennsylvania Fourth of July Car Accident Statistics Point to Risky Behavior

Pennsylvania State Police released the traffic accident statistics from the long Fourth of July weekend. Sadly, too many people lost their lives due to risky driving behaviors such as drunk driving and not buckling up.

According to the press release, nine people were killed and 312 people were injured in a total of 845 Pennsylvania car crashes during the Fourth of July holiday driving period.  Seven of those killed were not wearing seat belts.  85 of the car crashes were alcohol-related, including four of the fatalities. During the same period, state troopers arrested 432 people for driving under the influence.

“I'm disappointed that so many drivers still get behind the wheel after drinking,” State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan said. “And it's clear that far too many people don't buckle up when they travel. The numbers illustrate once again that risky behavior, such as drinking and driving or not wearing a seat belt, can lead to tragic ends.”

The number of accidents and fatalities showed an increase over last year's figures during the same holiday period.  In 2011, there were seven fatalities and 303 injuries in the 723 crashes to which troopers responded.

Our Pennsylvania car accident attorneys continue to stress that lives can be saved if drivers and their passengers buckle up when behind the wheel.  Also, drinking and driving don't mix, and there is no excuse for drunk driving.  Please drive safely and defensively – the life you save could be your own.

About Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys

Munley Law is a Pennsylvania accident and injury law firm that represents car accident victims and their families throughout the state of Pennsylvania and the Northeast, including those injured in accidents that involve speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, fatigued driving, aggressive driving and careless driving in hazardous weather conditions. The Pennsylvania personal injury law firm's additional practice areas include trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, defective products, toxic chemicals, workplace injuries, nursing home litigation and other serious accidents. To contact the law firm, use the firm's online contact form.