Traffic deaths up in Philadelphia as Pa. hits record low

Traffic fatalities rose in Philadelphia last year, even as deaths across the state reached a record low.

In total, 1,195 people died in Pennsylvania traffic accidents in 2014, the lowest total since the state began keeping records in 1928, according to PennDot figures released Wednesday.

But Philadelphia saw a 9 percent increase in traffic-related fatalities, as the number of deaths rose from 89 in 2013 to 97 in 2014.

Across the suburban counties, deaths in 2014 were relatively steady compared with the previous year, with no significant increases or decreases.

Highway deaths rose in several types of crashes in Philadelphia, including those involving unbuckled, victims, speeding, utility-poles and intersection collisions.

Unrestrained fatalities statewide, however, dropped significantly, from 425 deaths in 2013 to 383 last year.

PennDOT's data also showed statewide declines in drinking-driver-related and hit-tree crashes, while deaths from utility-pole accidents or those involving drowsy or sleeping drivers rose.

No suburban county in the region saw a major change in the number of fatalities last year:

Bucks County stayed constant, with 44 in both 2013 and 2014

Deaths rose in Chester, from 33 to 34

Deaths dropped in Delaware County, from 27 to 26, and in Montgomery County, from 40 to 38

State transportation officials touted the overall decline, just a 1-percent drop from last year but a more notable decrease from earlier years.

Between 1997 and 2008, Pennsylvania never recorded fewer than 1,460 traffic fatalities in a calendar year, with the death toll reaching as high as 1,618 in 2002, according to PennDot data.

"PennDot continuously strives to drive down crash and fatality numbers, and we ultimately want to reach zero deaths on our roads," PennDot Secretary Leslie S. Richards said in a statement. "Keeping in mind that each crash or death involves a member of someone's family, we urge the motoring public to be aware of their driving behavior by observing traffic laws, paying attention and using caution."