Pennsylvania Roadway Deaths Rose 6% In 2020 Despite 20% Drop In Traffic

By: KDKA-TV News Staff

HARRISBURG (KDKA) -- Despite fewer cars on the road last year, Pennsylvania saw a rise in traffic deaths.

PennDOT says that roadway deaths were up 6% last year in spite of a 20% drop in traffic.

That roughly matches a report from the National Safety Council, which found that traffic deaths nationwide were up 8%.

In all, 1,129 people died on Pennsylvania roads last year.

But PennDOT says that number is the second-lowest on record after the state had its lowest total ever in 2019.