HOW MANY PEOPLE DIE IN DUI CRASHES IN PENNSYLVANIA?

On Behalf of | May 15, 2017 | Injuries |

Pennsylvania residents should know how serious drunk driving is. In Bucks County alone, 77 people died in DUI accidents between 2011 and 2015.

As more and more public awareness groups continue to educate people about the dangers of drunk driving, it would seem logical that fewer drivers in Pennsylvania would make the choice to drive after drinking. Sadly, not enough drivers are making that choice. Too many people continue to get behind the wheels of their cars, trucks or SUVs or hop on their motorcycles after consuming alcohol. The results are often tragic.

Statewide drunk driving death statistics

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration collects and reports traffic fatality information for each state. In looking at records from 2011 to 2015, a fluctuating pattern of the number of deaths in alcohol-related accidents is seen.

In 2011, there were 398 drunk driving deaths statewide. That number increased to 407 the following year. For the two subsequent years, the number of fatalities resulting from impaired driving wrecks declined firs to 360 in 2013 and then to 249 in 2014. In 2015, however, the fatality county jumped up to 364.

A look at DUI deaths in and around Bucks County

The NHTSA records also detail deaths by county. Data for Bucks County and its four neighboring counties shows that the number of lives lost in Bucks County from 2011 to 2012 was second only to Philadelphia County.

Detailed information includes the following:

  • In Philadelphia County, 142 people died in drunk driving accidents.
  • Bucks County was the location of 77 DUI fatalities over these five years.
  • Montgomery County recorded 55 total impaired driving deaths.
  • In Lehigh County, another 45 people were killed by drunk drivers.
  • Northampton County experienced a total of 33 DUI deaths.

These numbers make it clear to see that drunk drivers remain an ever-present risk to Pennsylvania residents.

Drunk drivers come from all walks of life

Drunk drivers do not always fit the stereotypes and may even include people tasked with keeping others safe from these same people. An example of this can be seen in the case of an officer from Washington Township. According to nj.com, the man was arrested this summer after hitting multiple vehicles while driving drunk. To make matters worse, the same officer was arrested for impaired driving the year before.

Also this summer, a passenger on a motorcycle died when the driver of the bike failed to appropriately maneuver a corner. The drunk driver’s blood alcohol content was reported by TribLive to be 0.17 percent.

WFMZ indicates that a 25-year-old man faces multiple charges now after the DUI death of one of his own passengers, a 24-year-old woman, earlier this year. His BAC level was 0.15 percent.

Seeking help is important

Anyone who suffers because of the negligent actions of others like drunk drivers deserves help. Talking to an attorney after these tragic accidents is always recommended as a way of learning how to seek appropriate compensation.