Centre County saw a decrease in overall vehicle crashes and fatal crashes in 2017, according to data released by PennDOT.
Of the 128,888 reportable crashes statewide, 1 percent, or 1,246, occurred in Centre County. That’s down from the 1,311 crashes among 129,395 across Pennsylvania in 2016. At 162,660 residents, Centre County makes up 1.3 percent of the state’s population.
Fatal crashes also decreased locally, from 20 crashes and deaths in 2016 to 15 crashes and 16 deaths, including one pedestrian, last year. Two of those crash fatalities were alcohol-related The total number of fatal crashes and fatalities across the commonwealth hit a record low, with 1,083 crashes killing 1,137 people.
In Centre County, 496 crashes involved injuries, including 32 pedestrians, and 735 involved property damage only, also both slight decreases from 2016.
PennDOT data showed 91 percent seat belt usage in reportable crashes locally, well above the average of 80 percent statewide.
