Road Watch for April 5
(Road Deaths Drop in PA)
Highway deaths in the state last year dropped to their lowest level in 14 years – 1,468 fatalities – PennDOT reports.
PennDOT reported 1,440 traffic deaths in 1994.
In Delaware County, 21 road fatalities occurred in 2008, slightly down from 22 in 2007.
However, this was considerably lower than the 48 deaths reported in 2003, when these statistics hit a peak, according to PennDOT spokeswoman Alison Wenger in Harrisburg.
Fatalities in aggressive-driving related crashes decreased significantly to 913 from 971 in 2007.
To be more consistent with how the federal government reports aggressive driving crashes, PennDOT now defines a crash as related to aggressive driving only if at least two aggressive driving behaviors are demonstrated.
From 2002 to 2007, a driver only had to commit one aggressive driving act for the crash to be categorized as aggressive driving.
Based on the new definition, PennDOT reports aggressive-driving related fatalities to be 141, down from 192 in 2007. Since PennDOT launched its aggressive-driving enforcement program in 2006, aggressive-driving fatalities have declined about 35 percent.
Fatalities in crashes in which speed was a factor also have fallen to 261, from 385 in 2007.
Fatalities involving young drivers and mature drivers also showed a positive trend. PennDOT reported 64 fatalities involving a 16- or 17-year-old driver compared to 101 in 2007. Fatalities involving a driver over the age of 65 dropped to 259 from 268.
Although overall traffic deaths dropped, PennDOT showed slight increases in unrestrained, alcohol-related and motorcyclist fatalities. Unrestrained fatalities – involving occupants not wearing seat belts -- increased to 567 from 559 in 2007.
Alcohol-related fatalities also rose to 531 from 525. Motorcyclist fatalities increased to 236 from 225.
Earlier this year, PennDOT launched its Drive Safe PA program, which encourages motorists to practice safe driving habits. PennDOT aims to save at least 100 more lives each year on state roads, with the goal of reducing fatalities to 1,150 or less by 2011.
“While we are encouraged to see that these numbers are continuing to decline, we know there is much more that can be done to improve highway safety,” said PennDOT Secretary Allen Biehler. “We urge motorists to avoid life-threatening behaviors such as driving impaired, not wearing a seat belt and driving aggressively.”
Work Zone Awareness
PennDOT is reminding motorists to drive safely in work zones as part of National Work Zone Awareness Week.
With a record nearly $3 billion worth of highway and bridge projects scheduled this year, it’s going to be a busy construction season with many work zones, says Biehler.
“We’re asking every motorist to help keep our workers – and themselves – safe from harm by obeying speed limits and paying attention,” he said.
Last year in more than 1,400 work-zone crashes, nearly 1,000 people were injured and 23 died, including two highway workers.
By visiting www.dot.state.pa.us/followthecone, motorists can learn more about work-zone safety and why these projects are critical to improving/maintaining roads and bridges.
Average Auto Age
The median age of passenger cars in operation increased to 9.4 years in 2008 -- breaking the previous two-year record high of 9.2 years, according to figures released by R.L. Polk & Co. in its annual vehicle population report and Automotive Digest Weekly.
The median age for all trucks in 2008 increased to 7.6 years from 7.3 years in 2007. Light trucks increased from 7.1 years in 2007 to 7.5 years in 2008.
I-76 East Work
I-76 East (Schuylkill Expressway) will be reduced from two lanes to one at the University Avenue/Grays Ferry Avenue Interchange (Exit 346B) in Philadelphia 8 p.m.-5 a.m. tonight-Thursday for replacement of expansion joints on the adjoining nine-span and 16-span bridges carrying the expressway over the Schuylkill River, CSX railroad tracks, Grays Ferry Avenue and 34th Street, PennDOT says.
Traffic Delays
Radnor – Lancaster Avenue (Route 30), turn lane installation between Spring Mill Road and I-476 (Blue Route), 9 a.m.-3 p.m. today.
Also, Lancaster Avenue, traffic signal construction, right lane closed between Old Eagle School Road and Radnor-Chester Road, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.
I-476 South – Marple, Upper Providence, Nether Providence, Ridley Township, raised marker installation, left lane closed between West Chester Pike (Route 3) and I-95, 9 p.m.-12:01 a.m. Monday.
Route 1 East – Chadds Ford and Concord, marker installation, left lane closed between Route 322 and Chester County Line 9 p.m.-6 a.m. Tuesday-Thursday.
I-476 North/South – Marple and Nether Providence, right lanes closed near Baltimore Pike and West Chester Pike 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday-Friday.
Media Line Road – Marple and Newtown, Aqua utility installation between Route 3 and Gradyville Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through May 1. Work began March 30.
Marple – Media Line Road, Aqua installation between Lovell Avenue and Highland Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m weekdays through May 29. Work began Jan. 12.
Springfield – Thomson Avenue, Aqua trench restoration between Baltimore Pike and Sproul Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through May 8. Work began March 30.
Chester — Flower Street, ramp construction with a new traffic pattern at Fourth and Second streets, 24-hour restriction through 2011. Work began Jan. 12.
Also, Norris Street, ramp construction with lane restrictions at Front Street and Delaware Avenue, 24-hour restriction through 2011. Work began Jan. 12.
Ridley Park – Ridley Avenue, Aqua utility installation, closed/detoured between Constitution Avenue and Cresswell/Tasker streets 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays and through Aug. 28. Work began March 9.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.