PA Fatal Auto Crashes Increased In 2020 Despite Pandemic Shutdown

PENNSYLVANIA — Despite last year's coronavirus shutdown, statewide traffic deaths increased to 1,129 in 2020, up from a record low of 1,059 in 2019. Still, that was the second-lowest number of highway fatalities recorded in state history.

Pennsylvania roadway deaths were up about 6 percent in 2020, even though there was an approximate 20 percent reduction in traffic counts statewide last year compared to 2019, according to PennDOT. The fatality increase is in line with a recently released report from the National Safety Council, showing preliminary data estimates national motor-vehicle deaths are up 8 percent.

“We cannot definitively say why fatalities increased during the COVID-19 pandemic even though it certainly had an impact on traffic volumes statewide,” PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian said. “Over the long term, traffic fatalities are still trending down, but we must continue to work together to make our or all drivers."

While the overall number of highway deaths increased last year, fatality decreases were noted in crashes involving drivers aged 65 or older, head on-opposite direction side swipes, crashes involving distracted drivers, and pedestrian crashes.

Fatalities in drivers 65 years old or older dropped from 281 in 2019 to 243 in 2020. Head-on crashes/opposite direction side swipe fatalities also decreased from 158 in 2019 to 128 last year. There were 47 fatalities in 2020 crashes involving distracted drivers compared to 62 in 2019.

The following crash types saw fatality increases in 2020:

• Crashes involving single vehicle run-off-the-road – 506 fatalities, up from 447 in 2019;
• Crashes involving local roads – 224 fatalities, up from 186 in 2019;
• Crashes involving motorcycles – 217 fatalities, up from 174 in 2019; and
• Crashes involving speeding – 188 fatalities, up from 162 in 2019.