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. The number of crashes was 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 in 2024.

Zoom in: That downward trend is playing out locally: Allegheny County saw 18% fewer fatal crashes last year (60), down from 73 in 2024, per state data.

• Pittsburgh in 2024 adopted a Vision Zero initiative to cut traffic fatalities and injuries through a multipronged approach.

By the numbers: The county saw more than 10,500 total crashes last year, roughly 850 of which involved impaired drivers.

• Comparatively, there were more than 12,300 total crashes in 2019 — 1,148 of which involved impaired drivers.

Between the lines: Crashes in Allegheny County spike in the winter and summer, due to higher traffic and hazardous weather, per state data.

• Pedestrians, motorcyclists and bicyclists make up a disproportionate share of deaths (about 40%) despite accounting for a fraction of crashes.

Reality check: Statewide deaths tied to aggressive driving last year were up 31% over 2020, though that baseline was unusually low during the pandemic.

• Bicyclist deaths across Pennsylvania rose to 28 last year from 19 in 2024.
• Deaths involving drivers ages 65 to 74 also increased, to 185 last year from 162 in 2024, 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.

The bottom line: 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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"Nazi tattoos, jihadist chants, intimidation and attacks at synagogues, and other hateful anti-Jewish invective and actions are minimized, ignored, and even coddled ... Acquiescence to Jew-hatred is now disturbingly common among activists, leaders and even many elected officials in the Democratic Party."

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice David Wecht, who is Jewish, announced Monday he is leaving the Democratic Party and has registered as an independent because he says antisemitic "hatred has grown on the left" and is becoming more mainstream in the party.

Context: Wecht grew up in Pittsburgh and was married at the Tree of Life synagogue, where he also served as a board member. He previously served as vice chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party.

• He also cited the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting in his statement and noted that "Jew-hatred has always festered on the fringe" of the right.
• He criticized Democrats' response when Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) was accused of antisemitic speech in 2019, and said in the same interview that antisemitism and anti-Zionism are interchangeable.

Between the lines: Justices on Pennsylvania's highest court are elected under parties, but must maintain independence in their judicial role.

• Wecht ran for reelection last year and was retained by voters for another 10-year term.

🥞 Longtime co-owner of P&G's Pamela's Diner Gail Klingensmith died yesterday. She operated the diners with her business partner Pam Cohen for 46 years. Cohen wrote on a Facebook post that everyone loved Gail, including the Obamas, who visited the restaurants in 2008. (Facebook)

🌱 Applications are open for Pittsburgh's City Cuts program, which provides free lawn mowing for eligible residents. (WPXI)

🏗️ A mixed-use development of housing, grocery stores, restaurants, a childcare center and medical offices was proposed in Churchill at the former George Westinghouse Research and Technology Park, which has sat vacant since the late 1990s. (TribLive)

🌿 A new report says Pittsburgh buildings that are part of an environmental plan are cutting carbon emissions faster than planned. (WESA)

🥟 Nebby took another trip out of the house.

🕵️‍♀️ The intrigue: The game is afoot to try to find our plush pierogi pal.

❓ A clue: It's home to a public art project that was installed in 2010.

• Bonus points if you can name the project.

📩 Hit reply to this email with your guesses.