HARRISBURG, Pa. (ErieNewsNow) - With traffic-related fatalities on the rise across the country and in Pennsylvania, the message from state officials is simple. 

“Safety on our roadways is everyone's responsibility,” said PennDOT Acting Executive Deputy Secretary, Melissa Batula. 

According to preliminary data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, traffic deaths were up 12-percent in the first nine months of 2021 from where they were in 2020.  

Here in Pennsylvania, it’s a 10-percent increase based on data from the same time period. 

“This includes increases in fatalities for speeding crashes, distracted driving crashes, crashes involving 16- or 17-year olds, as well as unrestrained fatalities,” said Batula. 

Batula says 94-percent of unbelted occupants who were killed in 2020 could have survived if they had a seatbelt on. 

“That’s 305 lives that have been lost that could have been prevented by a simple act of buckling up,” said Batula. 

Other major factors include distracted and aggressive driving, especially speeding.  

“Speeding directly impacts your ability to react to changing traffic conditions and changing roadway conditions. It puts you, your passengers, and others on the road at risk,” said Batula. 

Batula realizes it’s hard to eliminate every distraction when driving, but says there are several things you can do to reduce potential distractions before you start to drive. 

“Although we recognize not every distraction can be eliminated, most of these can be prevented,” said Batula. “Put your cell phone down, that's number one. Think about those things that you need to be doing. Set your GPS before you start your trip, same thing with your radio, find your radio station, get your climate control set,” she added. 

And if you think you’re probably OK to drive impaired; you might want to think again. 

“Troopers and local law enforcement officers are receiving additional enhanced training to detect and identify impaired drivers,” said PA State Police Director of The Bureau of Patrol, Major Robert Krol. “If you’re impaired, get a ride,” he added.  

“The consequences of breaking these laws not only include fines and possible jail time, but also the reality that you could kill or seriously injure yourself or another person. Please slow down. Buckle up the next time that you're behind the wheel,” said Major Krol. 

“Trust me, you would rather be safe in your vehicle or getting a ride from a friend or rideshare service than needing a ride in one of our vehicles,” said director of Penn State Health Life Lion Services, Keith McMinn.  

Life Lion provides critical transport and offers 24/7 EMS and 911 response to numerous municipalities throughout central Pennsylvania, including medical transport via Life Lion helicopter. 

“In 2021, Life Lion responded to more than 1,950 motor vehicle crashes across central Pennsylvania, many of which involved traumatic injuries that resulted in transport to a hospital for further treatment,” said McMinn. 

Officials say nothing is worth risking your life, or someone else’s, when you are behind the wheel.  

“Whether it's by air or ground, we're always here and we're ready to provide emergency care when timing is critical, but this number is simply too high,” said McMinn. 

Pennsylvania’s Highway Safety Law Awareness Week is next week, February 20-26. This year features safety laws that impact crashes and fatalities each year. 

  • Distracted Driving: Pennsylvania's Texting-While-Driving Ban prohibits as a primary offense any driver from using an Interactive Wireless Communication Device (IWCD) to send, read or write a text-based communication while his or her vehicle is in motion. 
  • Seat Belts: Pennsylvania law requires any occupant younger than 18 to buckle up when riding in a vehicle, as well as drivers and front-seat passengers. Children under the age of two must be secured in a rear-facing car seat, and children under the age of four must be restrained in an approved child safety seat. Children must ride in a booster seat until their eighth birthday. 
  • Impaired Driving: Pennsylvania law prohibits individuals from driving while impaired by alcohol and/or drugs. Penalties for driving while impaired depend on the individual’s level of impairment and prior offenses and can include up to $10,000 in fines, up to five years in prison, up to 18 months license suspension, one year of ignition interlock, and more. For more information on the penalties, check out Pennsylvania's DUI Law. 
  • Speeding: Pennsylvania law on speed restrictions requires motorists to drive at reasonable and prudent speeds for the current conditions. Drivers must drive at a safe and appropriate speed when approaching and crossing intersections, railroad grade crossings, when approaching and going around a curve, while approaching a hill crest, when traveling upon any narrow or winding roadway, and when special hazards exist with respect to pedestrians, other traffic, or weather or highway conditions. This law is sometimes called the “assured clear distance” rule because it requires motorists to operate at a speed at which they can stop within an “assured clear distance.” Drivers may be ticketed for rear-ending another vehicle because they violated this law by not stopping within the following distance they allowed. 
  • Pennsylvania’s Young Driver Law: Pennsylvania licenses young drivers through a three-stage program, reflecting the driver’s gradual progression in skill, experience, and decision-making ability. The law has proven effective in reducing crashes and fatalities for 16- and 17-year-olds.