PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Pennsylvania State Police investigated 336 crashes and made 326 arrests for driving while intoxicated over the New Year’s holiday weekend. Both figures are down from last year.
The annual holiday crash and enforcement report covers activity over New Year’s Day and the two days that precede it.
Myles Snyder, communications director for the Pennsylvania State Police, says from Saturday through Monday, troopers issued nearly 4,000 citations for speeding, plus an additional 56 citations for child safety seat violations and 344 citations for drivers failing to wear seatbelts.
“This is our safety messaging,” Snyder said. “We're trying to reinforce to people that we want you wearing your seatbelt, slowing down, buckling up children in the car, avoiding distractions — and by no means ever get behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”
Almost every data point included in the annual report was higher last year, but the number of fatalities is a notable exception. In 2023, state police recorded none, but the 2024 data includes five fatalities — in the north and west portions of the state.
The report covers only incidents that state police investigated and does not include activity that other law enforcement agencies responded to.
“We want you to enjoy your holidays. We want you to enjoy your weekends. We want you to do it safely,” Snyder said.