Pennsylvania saw a slight increase in traffic-related fatalities last year despite a national down tick, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Across the state, just over 1,100 traffic deaths were reported in 2018, an increase of 20 fatalities since 2017, data shows. Of those, 34 were reported in Westmoreland County. That was one fewer than reported in 2017. Allegheny County saw 67 traffic deaths in 2018, an increase of five from the year before.

Nationally, about 33,650 traffic deaths were reported in 2018, compared to 34,560 in 2017.

“We are pleased to see a 2.4% drop in fatalities in 2018 and an estimated 3.4% dip in early 2019,” Jonathan Adkins, executive director of the Governors Highway Safety Association, said in a statement. “A decline in 2019 would mark three straight years of fewer fatalities despite a strong economy, which typically correlates with increased traffic deaths. However, the only acceptable level of deaths is zero, and we will not rest until that is achieved.”

The national report also found fatalities among children 14 and younger declined by over 10%; alcohol-impaired driving fatalities declined by almost 4%; speeding-related fatalities declined by almost 6%; and motorcyclist fatalities declined by almost 5%.

Still, the number of pedestrian fatalities rose in 2018, and Pennsylvania was not immune, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association.

There were 90 pedestrian fatalities in Pennsylvania last year, an increase of more than 40% since 2017, according to a report from the association.

Across the country, the number of pedestrian deaths increased by 3.4% last year to nearly 6,230. That’s the highest since 1990, when U.S. pedestrian deaths exceeded 6,480. A down tick had been recorded until 2010, when the number once again started to rise.

Still, 23 states saw fewer pedestrian deaths last year, the report showed. New Hampshire saw the largest decrease, 80%, though the actual number of deaths only decreased by four — from 5 in 2017 to one in 2018.

An analysis of 2017 fatalities shows that 75% of deaths happened after dark and most commonly on local roads.

According the GHSA, about half of traffic crashes that killed pedestrians in 2017 involved alcohol impairment of the driver or pedestrian, 17% and 32%, respectively. About 22% of pedestrians between the ages of 18 and 32 tested positive for drugs, the most common being methamphetamine, the report showed.

According to the report, however, the detection of drugs does not mean the person was impaired during the time of the crash, adding that drugs can be detected days or weeks after ingestion.

Officials with the Governors Highway Safety Association and local entities are working to decrease the number of pedestrian fatalities each year through targeted law enforcement efforts, public information campaigns, educational outreach in high-risk areas, safe routes to school programs and pedestrian safety assessments.

“Far too many perished or were injured, and nearly all crashes are preventable, so much more work remains to be done to make America’s roads safer for everyone,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao said in a statement.

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