November 30, 2016
Pennsylvania State Troopers investigated fewer alcohol-related crashes but arrested more drunk drivers during the Thanksgiving holiday this year compared to last year.
On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania State Police released its figures for the five-day holiday weekend from Nov. 23 to Nov. 27.
The agency recorded 931 crashes this year, an 8.1 percent decrease from last year when 1,013 crashes were investigated. Authorities said 61 of this year's crashes were alcohol related, which resulted in two deaths.
The decrease coincided with an uptick in DUI arrests. Troopers arrested 610 motorists for DUI, that's 9.3 percent more than 2015 when 558 arrests were made.
In total, six people were killed and 271 were injured in crashes during the 2015 long weekend.
During the 2016 holiday weekend, state police stepped up patrols to crack down on reckless driving. The increased presence resulted in 29,179 total citations: 13,941 for speeding, 183 for child seat infractions, 1,264 for seat belt violations and 13,790 other offenses.
State police noted the statistics do not include incidents under the jurisdiction of other law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania.
