State police: Fewer crashes, no fatals during holiday

From staff reports

Pennsylvania State Police responded to 376 crashes – none of them fatal – and made 179 arrests for driving under the influence during the Christmas three-day holiday period from Dec. 24 to 26, according to a police news release.

There were 78 people injured, and 40 of the crashes were alcohol-related, the release said.

Statistics cover only incidents investigated by state police.

During last year’s holiday period that covered four days, six people were killed in five separate crashes investigated by state police, according to the release. There were 128 people injured, and 54 of the crashes were alcohol-related.

In addition to this year’s DUI enforcement, troopers issued 1,885 speeding citations, 181 seat-belt citations and 17 child-safety-seat citations, the release said.

Last year, there were 330 DUI arrests, 2,460 speeding citations issued, 58 child-safety-seat citations issued and 289 seat-belt citations issued, according to the release.

Other citations issued this year totaled 3,800, compared with 5,543 last year, the release said.