Fewer PA Memorial Day weekend crashes for 2007

by Damon Boughamer
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania

Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 29 May 2007) – The roads were a bit safer over the 2007 Memorial Day weekend than they were in 2006, according to state police.

Deaths, injuries and crashes investigated by state police all fell this year.

Spokeswoman Trooper Linette Quinn says the state police investigated a total of 765 crashes over the four-day weekend.

"Seven people were killed, 320 were injured. Of those 7 people that were killed, unfortunately, none of them were wearing a seat belt, and 4 of our 7 fatal crashes were also alcohol-related. So we want to remind everyone to wear your seat belt and don’t drink and drive," Quinn says.

Quinn people generally know enforcement will be tighter over busy weekends and this year, maybe it got people to slow down and take a bit more care.

State police issued about 6500 speeding tickets and charged more than 250 motorists with driving under the influence.

The figures include only crashes to which the state police responded.