PENNSYLVANIA'S DRUNK DRIVING LAW

These comments by the Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation indicate the success Pennsylvania has had with its drunk driving law which became effective in January 1983. Preliminary estimates indicate an 11.8 percent decrease in alcohol-related traffic deaths (706 fatalities in 1983; 800 fatalities in 1982). Arrests for drunk driving have increased 13.8 percent, from 25,700 in 1982 to 29,250 in 1983. Officers are detecting drunk drivers before they get involved in an accident, and there has been an increase in other detections, such as moving violations and reckless driving. Other positive signs mentioned by the Secretary include the decrease of the BAC of drunk drivers in recent years, expanded enforcement efforts with the help of federal highway safety grant funds, and the deterrent effect of increased enforcement.