PennDOT Opens Traffic Safety Survey, Announces $40M in Safety Investments

• Drivers have until February 28 to complete a five-minute traffic safety survey at pa.gov/dotsafety.
• PennDOT is investing more than $40 million in intersection upgrades, pedestrian improvements, and speed enforcement projects statewide.
• Variable speed limit signs on major interstates are linked to a 7 percent drop in winter crashes and a 34 percent reduction in serious injuries and fatalities.

HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania drivers are being asked to weigh in on their driving habits as the state rolls out more than $40 million in traffic safety investments and highlights data showing winter crash reductions on key highways.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced a statewide online survey seeking public input on driving behavior, while also detailing new funding through red-light and speed enforcement programs and reporting measurable safety improvements tied to variable speed limits on interstates.

Public Input on Driving Behavior

PennDOT’s voluntary survey is available through February 28 at pa.gov/dotsafety.

The survey asks drivers about seat belt use, impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving, and safety issues affecting pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists.

PennDOT invests nearly $30 million annually in federal grant funding for traffic safety education and enforcement programs. Officials said survey responses will help guide future campaigns and programming.

In 2024, Pennsylvania recorded 1,127 highway fatalities — the second lowest number since record keeping began in 1928 and 82 fewer than in 2023. Preliminary data suggests fatalities declined again in 2025, though final numbers will be released in the spring.

$27 Million for Red-Light Safety Projects

PennDOT also announced more than $27 million in grants through the Automated Red-Light Enforcement program, commonly known as ARLE.

The ARLE program uses fines collected from red-light violations at certain Philadelphia intersections to fund safety projects statewide. Under state law, funding must be used for projects that improve safety, mobility, or reduce congestion.

This year, 51 projects across 44 municipalities were approved from 113 applications totaling more than $67 million in requests.

Projects include upgraded traffic signals, pedestrian safety improvements, flashing beacons at crosswalks, signal modernization, and installation of new traffic signals.

Chester County projects include:

• $65,469 for lane configuration and detection upgrades at Wallace Avenue and Pennsylvania Avenue in Downingtown Borough.
• $94,812 to enhance a midblock pedestrian crossing along Pennsylvania Avenue at Kerr Park in Downingtown.
• $257,187 in East Caln Township to replace outdated signal heads and upgrade left-turn signals to flashing yellow arrows.

A flashing yellow arrow allows drivers to turn left after yielding to oncoming traffic, replacing older signal systems that required a full green arrow.

Since 2023, PennDOT reports investing more than $60 million through ARLE.

$13 Million in Automated Speed Enforcement Funding

An additional $13 million is being invested through the Automated Speed Enforcement program, which uses speed cameras to enforce speed limits.

Originally launched as a pilot on Roosevelt Boulevard in Philadelphia, the program was made permanent and expanded under state law.

The new funding will support six projects in Philadelphia, including:

• Expansion of speed camera corridors and school zones.
• $5 million in multimodal improvements such as curb extensions, concrete medians, pedestrian refuge islands, and upgraded crosswalks.
• $2 million for traffic calming measures like speed humps and speed cushions along Lincoln Drive and near 100 schools.

Traffic calming refers to roadway design features intended to slow vehicles and reduce crash severity.

Winter Safety and Variable Speed Limits

PennDOT, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, the Pennsylvania State Police, and the National Weather Service also highlighted the impact of variable speed limit signage.

Variable speed limit signs automatically lower speed limits when visibility or roadway conditions deteriorate, such as during snow squalls — short, intense bursts of heavy snow that can reduce visibility to less than one-quarter mile.

There are 83 variable speed limit signs along Interstate 80 and Interstate 81 and 13 along the Pennsylvania Turnpike in the Laurel Highlands.

According to PennDOT data:

• Winter crashes on Interstate 80 have decreased by an average of 7 percent compared to the previous five-year average.
• Serious injuries and fatalities in those crashes decreased by an average of 34 percent.
• Total injuries on Interstate 81 decreased by an average of 6 percent.

When speed limits are reduced, flashing yellow lights on the signs alert drivers to the change. Drivers can still be cited for traveling too fast for conditions, even if they are below the posted limit.

Officials also promoted a free virtual reality snow squall driving simulator developed with the National Weather Service to help drivers understand the dangers of sudden whiteout conditions.

Next Steps

PennDOT officials said public feedback from the survey will help guide future safety messaging and enforcement efforts.

The survey is available at pa.gov/dotsafety through February 28.

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