Pennsylvania recorded its fewest traffic deaths in nearly a century last year, but officials say many of those fatalities were preventable.

Why it matters: The milestone signals progress from the state's safety investments — yet about 1,000 people still die on our roads each year.

By the numbers: Pennsylvania saw more than 109,000 crashes, 979 of them fatal, last year, per state data. That's the second lowest total on record, after 2020, when fewer people were on the roads.

• The Commonwealth also recorded its lowest-ever number of deaths caused by impaired drivers (258) — nearly 100 fewer than 2024.

The downward trend is playing out locally: Philadelphia saw about 28% fewer fatal crashes last year (96), down from 133 in 2024, per state data.

• Of Philly's 7,000 total crashes last year, 270 involved impaired drivers.
• That's a big drop from 2019, when there were more than 11,100 total crashes, 660 of which involved suspected impaired drivers.

Between the lines: The improvement follows five years of unusually high fatal crashes in Philly, which were roughly 50% above the five-year average before 2020, per the latest Vision Zero report.

• Pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists made up a disproportionate share of deaths despite accounting for a fraction of crashes over that period.

Reality check: Despite the improvement statewide, deaths tied to aggressive driving are up 31% since 2020 — though that baseline was unusually low during the pandemic.

• Bicyclist deaths rose from 19 in 2024 to 28 last year.
• Deaths involving drivers ages 65 to 74 also increased (162 in 2024 vs. 185 in 2025), as that driving population has increased nearly 25% over the past decade.

The big picture: PennDOT is spending more than $106 million on nearly 200 safety projects this year as it looks to continue driving down traffic deaths.

Through its Vision Zero program, Philadelphia has taken steps over the last decade to make streets safer, including:

• Improvements along some of the city's most dangerous corridors;
• Installing nearly three dozen red-light cameras;
• Upgrading LED lighting on more than 130,000 streetlights;
• Adding traffic cushions and bike lanes.

What they're saying: Like Philadelphia, the state won't stop until it reaches zero deaths, PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll says.

• "Even one life lost is one too many."

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Philadelphia is marking Cinco de Mayo with a block party and other events across the city.

The big picture: The city's largest celebration was called off over immigration enforcement concerns.

State of play: El Carnaval de Puebla — South Philly's massive Cinco de Mayo festival — was canceled for a second consecutive year out of fear that the large gathering could become a target for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

• The annual event was a big deal: It would draw roughly 15,000 revelers.

🎉 Zoom in: Here's where to celebrate Tuesday.

• Among the biggest events is the annual Cinco de Mayo block party in South Philly.
• South Ninth Street will be shut down between Federal and Christian Streets from 4-9pm for the festivities, a roving mariachi band, restaurant specials and outdoor dining (weather permitting).

Plus: Look for a patio party in East Market on Chestnut Walk from 3-7pm put on by Mi Vida and The Wayward.

• Enjoy food, music, margaritas and a DJ on Ludlow Street between 11th and 12th streets.

What they're saying: Adelita Taqueria owner Andrés Hernández, a co-organizer for the South Philly block party, tells Axios that while concerns around immigration enforcement are top of mind, they're not preventing today's celebrations.

• "In little smaller places we're taking the Carnaval," Olga Renteria, a volunteer with San Mateo Carnavalero and former co-organizer for El Carnaval de Puebla, tells Axios.
• "We are still celebrating. We are still here. We are coming out stronger," she adds.

What's next: It remains uncertain whether Carnaval will return next year, Renteria says.

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🗳️ Hey, Philly: Put the Peddle to the metal. Peddler's Village is up for USA Today's best shopping center honor, after last year's runner-up finish. Voting runs through June 1.

👀 Philly Councilmember Curtis Jones, Jr. has been tapped as the interim chairperson of the state's Human Relations Commission, which enforces civil rights laws in Pennsylvania. (Capital-Star)

🏈 Add New Jersey to the growing list of states where flag football is a sanctioned sport for high school girls. The state's Interscholastic Athletic Association approved the move on Monday. (CBS)

The Philadelphia region ranked 41st in the U.S. when it comes to offering the best opportunities for college graduates, per a new study.

The big picture: Birmingham, Alabama, and Tampa Bay, Florida, topped the list, based on payroll processor ADP's ranking of 20-something hiring rates, wages and affordability.

How it works: ADP ranked 53 metro areas with at least one million residents based on wages, hiring and cost of living.

The rest of the top 5 metros are:

• San Jose, California
• Columbus, Ohio
• Raleigh, North Carolina

At the bottom of the rankings are:

• Salt Lake City
• Riverside, California
• San Diego
• Portland, Oregon

Worth noting: The Philly metro we're talking about spans Philly and its Pennsylvania 'burbs; parts of southern New Jersey, like Camden; and parts of Delaware and Maryland.

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Two playoff games, two losses — and a glum night for Philadelphians.

The big picture: The Sixers were blown out 137-98 in last night's opening game of their second-round series against the Knicks, while the Flyers blew a two-goal lead and lost in overtime to fall into a 2-0 hole against the Hurricanes.

Yes, but: Bryce Harper helped Philly avoid a total sports letdown, knocking a solo homerun in the third inning to lift the Phillies to a 1-0 win over the Marlins.

Zoom in: The Flyers jumped out to a 2-0 lead five minutes into the game, but couldn't beat Hurricanes goalie Frederik Andersen again the rest of the night.

• He turned aside several chances in overtime before Taylor Hall scored on a rebound in the final minute.

What's next: The Flyers return home for Thursday's Game 3 at 8pm, hoping to turn it around, while the Sixers are back in action on Wednesday at 7pm.

The bottom line: Both teams hope to reawaken their slumbering fans.