PennDOT reports increase in motor vehicle accidents

Many individuals who are authorized to operate a motor vehicle fail to follow the rules of the road. As a result, a number of people lose their lives to reckless drivers every year.

Pennsylvania is one state that has seen an increase in motor vehicle accidents since 2009. Recently, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that the number of car crashes increased to 1,324 in 2010. This is 68 more accidents than the previous year.

Alcohol-related deaths increased from 442 to 444 in 2010. Although this number may seem insignificant, PennDOT secretary Barry Schoch notes that every figure counts as a family that is mourning the loss of a loved one. The new data from 2010 show a dramatic drop in accidents from the past 20 years, but PennDOT still believes that carelessness is attributed to many documented instances.

Motorcyclist and bicyclist accidents increased in 2010 as well. Motorcycle deaths jumped from 231 to 284, while cyclist fatalities spiked from 16 to 21 people.

Nearly 52 percent of Americans age 18 or older were regular drinkers in 2009, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Drug rehab programs can help individuals who have a problem controlling their alcohol consumption.