Thanksgiving crashes down from 2021

| Back | Text Size:

https://naviga.triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/thanksgiving-crashes-down-from-2021/

Thanksgiving crashes down from 2021

The Meadville Tribune, Pa. | Tuesday, November 29, 2022 10:48 a.m.

Heavy afternoon traffic moves along the I-5 on November 23, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. The American Automobile Association (AAA) predicts nearly 55 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, 98 percent of pre-pandemic volumes. AAA also projects that nearly 49 million are expected to travel by vehicle this week, while around 4.5 million will fly to their Thanksgiving destinations.

Pennsylvania State Police investigated 970 vehicle crashes resulting in two fatalities and 196 injuries during the Thanksgiving travel period stretching from Wednesday to Sunday, according to a press release. Alcohol was a factor in 48 of the crashes, about 5 percent of the total.

Troopers arrested 539 people for driving under the influence and issued more than 27,000 traffic citations over the five-day holiday weekend. The citations included 9,252 for speeding, 1,088 for failing to wear a seat belt, and 138 for not securing children in safety seats.

The 970 crash investigations represent a 16 percent drop from the 1,155 reported over the 2021 Thanksgiving weekend. The 2021 holiday also saw more fatalities with five; more injuries — 225 compared to 196 this year; and more alcohol-related crashes, with 91.

The statistics provided by state police do not include incidents to which other law enforcement agencies responded. For more information: Visit psp.pa.gov.

Email Newsletters