Pennsylvania DUI Arrests Increase from 2015 to 2016

The Pennsylvania State Police recently released their statistics related to arrests for driving under the influence (DUI) in 2016. According to the data, state troopers investigated 4,520 crashes related to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and made a total of 19,518 DUI arrests last year. This represents a 3.8 percent increase from the number of arrests troopers made in 2015.

The actual numbers of arrests in the state are even higher than these figures, as the data only covers arrests and crashes that state police officers investigated. Arrests made by local police officers and departments throughout the state are not included in the report.

State troopers who are certified as drug recognition experts (DREs) conducted an additional 1,016 drug influence evaluations last year. These DREs have specialized classroom and field training that helps them identify the physiological indications of impairment.

A closer look at the numbers

Troop L, which includes the state police stations in Lebanon, Berks and Schuylkill counties, made 941 total DUI arrests, investigated 241 DUI-related crashes and conducted 62 drug recognition expert evaluations. As much as the figures are inflated around population-heavy areas like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, the number of DUI incidents is clearly of great local concern, as well.

A full list of DUI arrest totals, crash investigations and DRE drug influence reports broken down by each individual troop is available at www.psp.pa.gov.

State officials are looking to crack down on drunk and drugged driving throughout Pennsylvania. For more information about how to defend yourself and protect your rights if charged with driving under the influence, contact skilled Reading criminal defense lawyer David R. Eshelman.