9 Killed, 271 Injured in Labor Day Weekend Crashes

Troopers Arrest 374 for DUI; Issue 8,105 Speeding Citations during Labor Day Driving Period

State Police news release

Harrisburg – Nine people died and 271 others were injured in 754 crashes investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police during the four-day Labor Day holiday driving period, Commissioner Frank E. Pawlowski said today.

Eight of those killed were not wearing seat belts, Pawlowski said. He noted that 83 of the crashes were alcohol-related, including two of the fatal crashes.

During the holiday driving period that covered Friday, Sept. 3, through Monday, Sept. 6, troopers arrested 374 persons for driving under the influence, issued 8,105 speeding citations, cited 679 for failing to wear seatbelts, and issued 66 citations for not securing children in safety seats.

During last year’s Labor Day holiday travel period (Sept. 4-7, 2009), nine people died and 285 others were injured in 654 crashes investigated by troopers, Pawlowski added.

The statistics include only those incidents investigated by state police and do not include data from incidents to which other law enforcement agencies responded.