The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) joined Penn State Health Life Lion Services at the Life Lion hangar to highlight driver safety laws and urge motorists to put safety first on Tuesday, Feb. 15.
PennDOT Acting Executive Deputy Secretary Melissa Batula, PSP Director of Bureau of Patrol Major Robert Krol, and Penn State Health Director of Life Lion Services Keith McMinn spoke about the importance of safe driving and putting away distractions before hitting the road.
“In 2021, Life Lion responded to more than 1,950 motor vehicle crashes across central Pennsylvania, many of which involved traumatic injuries that resulted in transport to a hospital for further treatment,” said Keith McMinn, director of Penn State Health Life Lion Services. “Whether by ground or air, our first responders across the health system are always prepared to provide high-quality, timely care – but many of these accidents are preventable. We encourage drivers buckle up and stay alert because this is one statistic we would like to see decrease.”
In Pennsylvania, 2021 preliminary data shows deaths on the roadways increased by as much as 10%, including increases in fatalities and speeding crashes, distracted driving crashes, crashes involving a 16- or 17-year-old driver, as well as unrestrained fatalities.
Read more about the event here.