Pennsylvania Highway Deaths Dropped in 2007

Pennsylvania officials say highway deaths dropped in 2007, but more are being blamed on aggressive driving.

The state Department of Transportation says that 1,491 people died on Pennsylvania highways last year. That’s down 34 from the number in 2006.

But PennDOT Secretary Allen Biehler says aggressive driving caused 971 fatalities last year _ up from 913 in 2006.

Aggressive driving includes speeding, disobeying traffic lights and signs and careless lane changes.

Officials say speed-related highway deaths also rose, from 663 in 2006 to 734 last year.

The number of fatalities blamed on alcohol and not wearing seat belts is down from a year earlier.

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Information from: The Express-Times