HARRISBURG – Fifteen people died and 422 were injured in 1,106 crashes investigated by Pennsylvania State Police during the holiday driving period from July 3 through July 8, State Police Commissioner Jeffrey B. Miller said.
Miller said 107 of the crashes, including 10 of the fatal crashes, were alcohol-related and 10 of the 15 people killed were not wearing seat belts.
State police arrested 344 people for driving under the influence during the driving period.
“I’m disappointed that so many drivers still get behind the wheel after drinking,” Miller 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.”
During the six-day period, troopers issued 7,941 speeding citations, cited 318 for failing to wear seat belts and issued 67 citations for not securing children in safety seats.
Miller said that during last year’s Fourth of July holiday driving period, which was five days covering June 30 through July 4, 2006, eight people were killed and 369 others were injured in 934 crashes to which troopers responded.
Crash numbers cover only those incidents investigated by state police and do not include crash statistics on incidents where other law-enforcement agencies responded.