The problem is that statewide there were 542 alcohol-related traffic fatalities in 2004, about 36 percent of the total 1,490 highway fatalities in the state last year. In southeast Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery counties), there were 108 alcohol-related fatalities in 2004, about 34 percent of the 321 highway deaths in the region. These statistics show a need to focus on reducing the number of alcohol-related traffic fatalities which causes over one-third of the total fatalities on Pennsylvania’s roads.

According to the latest crash statistical analysis from Penn DOT, Chester County roadway fatality statistics since 1999 are reported as follows:

There was an obvious decrease from 2003 to 2004. In a continued interest in saving lives and to match Penn DOT’s established goal of 15 or less alcohol related fatalities by 2008, the Sobriety Checkpoint, Roving Patrols and Cops in Shops programs will assist in that goal.

Highway Safety personnel and the DUI Enforcement Grant police coordinator will review 2005 alcohol related crash statistics to plan Checkpoint and Roving patrol enforcements. Local data indicates that the major roads that run through Chester County (Rt 202, Rt 3, Rt 252, Rt 30) are the problem areas and enforcement has been applied for that reason.

The Chester County Police departments also recognize the continued problem that underage drinking represents and to that end, they want to receive funding for the “Cops in Shops” program whereby officers are placed within liquor licensed establishments to apprehend minors attempting to purchase alcohol or adults who are providing alcohol to minors.

The program will continue to address the problems of underage drinking parties and proliferation of false identification cards and driver’s licenses used by minors to obtain alcohol. With five colleges and universities and six + community colleges in Chester County, the number of college age students in our community is significant. Through Cops in Shops, we want to enforce the message that underage drinking is dangerous and unacceptable!