May 25, 2022 - News
Traffic deaths spike in Pennsylvania in 2021
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Pennsylvania traffic deaths were up more than 9% in 2021, compared to the year before, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The big picture: U.S. traffic deaths hit a 16-year high last year.
- An estimated 42,915 people died on America's roads, a 10.5% increase from 2020, Axios' Oriana Gonzalez reports.
By the numbers: 1,234 people in Pennsylvania died in vehicle crashes in 2021.
- Philadelphia saw 133 traffic-related fatalities last year, according to the state Department of Transportation.
- It's a slight improvement compared to 2020, when Philly reported 156 traffic deaths — an 88% spike compared to the year prior.
Between the lines: Philly's traffic violence disproportionately affects Black and brown communities and low-income neighborhoods.
What to watch: Safety advocates are pushing for improved street designs to reduce accidents and force drivers to slow down. Some argue U.S. roads prioritize fast movement over other road users.
- Philadelphia's latest Vision Zero report shows 42% of fatal and serious injury crashes were the result of aggressive driving and speeding.