Total crashes investigated by Pennsylvania State Police saw a decrease over last year during this year’s Christmas and New Year’s holiday weekends. Alcohol-related crashes remained nearly static.

Officials released the annual holiday enforcement reports showing 404 crashes statewide over Christmas weekend, compared to 661 in 2022. Over New Year’s weekend, 326 crashes were reported statewide, as compared to 356 last year.

Three fatal crashes were reported over Christmas and five over New Year’s, only one of which was alcohol-related. Last year, five fatal crashes occurred over Christmas weekend resulting in seven deaths. Two of those crashes were alcohol-related. No fatal crashes were reported over New Year’s weekend last year.

A total of 70 people were injured over Christmas weekend and 68 over New Year’s weekend. Last year, 113 injuries occurred over Christmas weekend and 108 occurred over New Year’s weekend.

According to data on PSP Troop E, 22 of those crashes happened in the region – 15 over Christmas weekend and seven over New Year’s weekend. Two of the crashes occurring in the region resulted in injuries. None were fatal. Troop E covers Crawford, Erie and Venango counties and most of Warren County.

A total of 36 alcohol-related crashes occurred over Christmas weekend and 47 occurred over New Years weekend. Last year, there were 36 over Christmas weekend and 51 over New Year’s weekend.

Statewide, 198 individuals were cited for driving under the influence over Christmas and 326 were cited over New Year’s. Of that total, 16 Christmas and 28 New Year’s arrests for DUIs were reported by Troop E this year. Last year, 116 individuals statewide were cited over Christmas weekend and 356 were cited over New Year’s weekend.

Christmas data covers the period from Dec. 23 through 25, 2023. New Year’s data cover the period from Dec. 30, 2023, through Jan. 1.

The Christmas and New Year’s holidays fell on weekends last year as well, as Christmas and New Year’s day were both on Sundays.