READING PA DRUNK DRIVER
 In the year 2001, there were 1,530 traffic deaths in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 45% of these deaths were alcohol related accidents. In Pennsylvania the current blood alcohol content limit is .08. A 175 pound man would have to drink approximately 4 alcoholic beverages in one hour to reach a blood alcohol level of .08.

Impaired-driving cases reached approximately 1,750, marking a 42% increase over the past five years. pa.gov. lehighvalleynews.com. lehighcounty.org
Among these, marijuana-related DUIs are rising, with many charges filed if “active metabolites” are present—meaning the driver was likely impaired at the time. lehighvalleynews.com
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Allentown Specifics

Bethlehem contributes significantly to these figures, with many DUI defendants processed through its courts. ucr.pa.gov. lehighvalleynews.com

The Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program is a common diversion path for first (and some second) DUI offenses in Reading. Many offenders avoid jail time by completing license suspension, safety classes, fines, and treatment programs. pennsylvaniacourtrecords.us. lehighvalleynews.com. High-BAC cases (0.16+ blood alcohol) and repeat offenders are notably on the rise. lehighvalleynews.com.

Broader Regional Trends

Between 2014 and 2023, there were nearly 200 impaired-driving deaths in the entire Lehigh Valley (Lehigh + Northampton Counties). lehighvalleynews.com
State-wide, alcohol-related crashes comprised ~30% of all traffic fatalities. In 2023 alone, 8,337 crashes in Pennsylvania involved a drunk driver, with 288 fatal alcohol-related crashes.

Insights

DUI surge: There is a +42% increase in impaired-driving cases in Allentown, PA.

General DUI Accident Statistics

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 10,142 fatalities in motor vehicle crashes involving a drunk driver in 2020. The NHTSA also reports that in 2020, drunk driving accidents resulted in an estimated 29% of all traffic fatalities. In Pennsylvania, it's estimated that one person is injured or killed every hour due to a drunk driver.
 When is a driver considered to be legally drunk in Pennsylvania?

  • Non-commercial drivers age 21+ are considered legally drunk when

  • their blood alcohol level is .08 or more.

  • Drivers of commercial vehicles are legally drunk when their blood alcohol concentration is .04 percent or greater.

  • School bus drivers are legally drunk when their blood alcohol level is .02 or more.

  • Drivers under 21 are legally drunk when their blood alcohol concentration is .02 or more.


If you or a loved one was involved in a Reading PA accident involving a drunk driver or a Berks County accident involving a DUI driver, it is important to protect your legal rights.  Review the "10 Rules to follow if you are in an accident" instructions provided.  Then call a Reading PA injury lawyer and Reading PA accident attorney whose firm handles Berks County accidents caused by drunk drivers involving serious injuries to innocent victims.


Call: Knafo Law Offices, LLC
4700 Perkiomen Avenue
Reading, PA 19606
Phone: (610) 370-4000