Politics & Government

PA Has 30th Highest Rate of Injury Deaths in U.S.

PA joins states such as Texas and Iowa by making only half of 10 key safety indicators.

We all know Pennsylvania is beautiful—but is it safe?

A new report from the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation says Pennsylvania ranks higher than the national average for injury-related deaths. 

The national survey found Pennsylvania had the 30th highest rate of injury-related deaths for Americans at 59.4 per 100,000 people suffering injury fatalities. 

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The national average is 57.9 per 100,000 people.

The report looked at what the state did—or did not—do to prevent injury, such as whether they had a booster seat law up to age 8 (Pennsylvania does) or require motorcycle helmets of all riders (the state does not).

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Other safety suggestions Pennsylvania has so far not undertaken: mandatory ignition interlocks for all convicted drunk drivers, even first offenders, and a primary seat belt law, which allows law enforcement to ticket on just visual confirmation.

We took one major suggestion from the report—that all states adopt a universal motorcycle helmet law—and thought we'd leave it up to you. Tell us what you think by voting in the poll.


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