HARRISBURG – Eight people were killed in traffic crashes investigated by state police during the four-day Christmas holiday driving period, State Police Commissioner Col. Jeffrey B. Miller said Tuesday.
In addition to the eight fatalities, 319 people were injured in the 906 crashes to which troopers responded. Miller said 97 of the crashes, including three of the fatal crashes, were alcohol-related. Four of the eight people killed were not wearing a seat belt.
Miller said troopers issued 1,275 speeding citations during the holiday driving period, arrested 263 people for driving under the influence, cited 127 drivers for not wearing seat belts and issued 19 citations for not securing children in child safety seats.
This year’s official four-day Christmas holiday driving period covered Friday through Monday.
Last Christmas, which covered only three days, saw two people being killed and 222 injured in the 588 crashes by state police.
Miller said the report does not include statistics on incidents to which other law enforcement agencies in the state responded.