Berks ranks third of 67 counties for the most road fatalities in 2019, PennDOT reports

Oct. 13--Back in 2019 -- before the coronavirus outbreak kept many motorists off the roads -- traffic fatalities dropped significantly in Pennsylvania to the lowest number on record, but increased in Berks County.

With 49 fatal crashes, Berks ranked third among the state's 67 counties, according to fatalities reported by police to PennDOT. The fatalities included victims whose injuries were suffered within 30 days of the crash and the fatalities are the result of the crash.

Of the 49, 16 were alcohol-related. The numbers include drivers as well as intoxicated pedestrians.

The numbers of fatal crashes and alcohol-related fatal crashes were behind Philadelphia and Allegheny counties, according to PennDOT's recently released 2019 crash facts and statistics report.

In Pennsylvania, highway fatalities dropped to 1,059 in 2019. That number was the lowest since recording began in 1928, 131 less than in 2018, according to PennDOT.

The state also reported a reduction in alcohol-related fatalities, dropping by 32 from 2018 to 331 in 2019.

Acting Berks County Coroner Jonn M. Hollenbach said that most of fatal crashes involve impairment, speed and distracted driving.

So far in 2020, Berks has reported 29 motor vehicle fatalities, including one homicide.

The acting coroner said there was a spike in 2019, noting the numbers fluctuate from year to year.

For example, in 2018, there were 39 total deaths, six alcohol-related.

Danger zones

Berks District Attorney John T. Adams said he is hopeful that the high number of fatal accidents, including alcohol related fatalities, is just an anomaly.

"One problem we face in Berks County is there is an enormous amount of accidents on Interstate 78," he said.

He is hopeful that the investment in improvements on Interstate 78 will result in fewer accidents.

The district attorney noted that Route 222 is also dangerous.

"Both of these roads in Berks County, I consider danger zones," he said.

Adams said the improvement so far on Route 222, which has a new roundabout at Route 662, has been positive.

The district attorney also emphasized to police that these highways need to be patrolled intensely.

Alcohol and drugs

Exeter Township police Sgt. David Bentz, Berks County coordinator for the North Central Regional DUI Enforcement program, said that one fatality is too many.

"We try to combat DUI every day," Bentz said. "Our message is DUI is a completely preventable accident. We are out there making DUI arrests every day."

Police bolstered roving patrols in which officers stop vehicles for suspicious driving.

"We are doing the best we can to stop people from driving drunk," Bentz said.

If the officer detects a liquor odor, the officer will do a breathalyzer test.

Bentz said that police are seeing more illegal and prescription-drug-related crashes.

A driver is considered legally intoxicated with a blood-alcohol of 0.08 percent. The first offense carries a penalty of six months probation and attendance at a highway safety school.

'The text can wait'

Trooper David C. Beohm, spokesman for Reading-based Troop L, attributes the increase in fatalities on roadways to more distractions.

In 2019, there were 13,776 distracted driver crashes, resulting in 62 fatalities statewide, according to PennDOT.

"People are on their phones," he said. "The text can wait. Pay attention when you're driving. Be a defensive driver. Always plan ahead and look ahead of you as you drive."

Beohm also warned motorists never to drink and drive.

"Don't drive if your medication says you should not," he said. "Take your time and be mindful of other drivers."

Marsha Goodman-Hinnershitz, director of planning and resource development for Berks County Council on Chemical Abuse, said the nonprofit is thankful to PennDOT for providing the data.

'Too much recklessness'

"It's very important to keep track of this," she said. "We want to prevent this from happening. We want people to stay healthy and reduce the fatalities. There is too much recklessness on the roads."

Before the pandemic, she said, the nonprofit conducted a needs assessment that showed there was an increase in adults binge drinking.

"This is very concerning," Goodman-Hinnershitz said. "We are learning that adults are binge drinking."

She said the agency is planning a town hall in the spring to review that data.

Goodman-Hinnershitz said that before the coronavirus outbreak the nonprofit was planning to work with the tavern owners on ways to curtail the problem.

Since then, she said, the agency has provided some programs on Zoom.

She said opioid abuse was the focus for the last five years, putting alcohol addiction on the back burner.

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