Alcohol-related traffic fatalities dropped to a record low of 450 last year in Pennsylvania, according to state transportation secretary Allen D. Biehler, who added that heavy truck-related fatalities decreased from 179 in 2001 to 157.
"Although our efforts to reduce fatalities will never stop, we are pleased to see that the anti-drunk driving message and increased enforcement efforts are paying off," Biehler said.
The Pennsylvania DOT last year introduced an action plan aimed at reducing heavy truck-related fatalities. The plan called for tougher enforcement of commercial vehicles and stiffer penalties for those commercial vehicles and operators who fail to pass safety inspections.
