Labor Day weekend marks a special occasion for many Pennsylvania residents. Most workers get a free day off on Monday and use it to host a backyard barbecue or travel to an out-of-state friend or family member’s house. It is also some of the last days of summer vacation before children head back to school, so they want to make their last weekend memorable before the kids head back to study.
Unfortunately for some residents, it was their last weekend alive. As many companies in the nation celebrate Labor Day, thousands of families that travel on the road risk of getting in a car accident. A recent report from the Pennsylvania state police shows how just getting one day off can put so many motorists in peril.
More DUIs, less crashes
The police enforcement data showed a significant increase in arrests and citations from 2017 to 2018. There were 660 DUI arrests, which is more than 100 than 2017’s count. There were also nearly 400 more speeding citations in 2018 with a total of 13,041 and over 3,500 more unclassified citations counting for a total of 15,724.
When it came to crashes, there was a slight decrease this year with a total of 722 in comparison to 794 in 2017. However, there was a small increase in the amount of people injured, killed and how many fatal crashes there were involving alcohol.
Holiday horrors
As it stands, the amount of crashes and injuries were not that different between the two years. If there was not such a dramatic increase with the amount of police enforcement, it’s possible that the amount of crashes in this year could have far exceeded 2017’s statistics. While some might think this shows how the Pennsylvania state police have gotten better, others could see the report demonstrating how more negligent motorists are getting worse about driving during the holidays.
There is a dramatic increase in DUI accidents during the holidays because many workers use their time off to drink at a bar or someone’s party before heading out on the road. Studies show that the most dangerous times to drive during the year are during Easter, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. All of these holidays are known for giving many workers at least one day off and having celebrations that typically involve alcohol.
Even as the most dangerous driving season of the year comes to a close, you need to take caution if you plan on traveling a long distance during the fall and winter holidays. The police are not able to stop everyone, so plan to go at an appropriate time where there are less motorists on Pennsylvania’s highways and be on the lookout for any signs of drunk or negligent driving. Holidays are a time to have fun with your family and friends, not to ache from someone else’s mistake in a hospital bed.
No Comments
Leave a comment