Data also show that use of seatbelts continues to increase each year. The county with the highest seatbelt usage in 1996 was Montour with 82 percent followed by Pike at 80 percent. Twelve counties had more than 50 but less then 100 alcohol-related traffic deaths while only three counties surpassed the 100 mark. The number of vehicle crashes in the state has increased almost every year since 1992. Forest County did not report a traffic fatality in 1996 while Potter County experienced only 2.
Speed remains the number one cause of accidents.
In 1996, driving too fast led to the highest numbers of accidents and fatalities while an equal number of accidents, but fewer deaths, were attributed to tailgaiting and improper turning combined. Other driver errors contributing to crashes were careless or illegal passing, proceeding without clearance, and distracted or drowsy drivers. In all, 58.7 percent of all Pennsylvania crashes and 72.8 percent of deaths in 1996 were a result of driver error. Data Center statistics also show Pennsylvania has the fourth largest highway system in the United States. Data from the U.S. Department of Transportation show that, in 1996, Pennsylvania ranked fifth in the nation for total length of public roads with 118,952 miles following Texas, California, Minnesota, and Missouri.