Harrisburg — The number of fatalities on Pennsylvania highways in 2009 dropped to 1,256, the lowest number since record-keeping began in 1928, PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler said Wednesday.

The previous low was 1,328 in 1944. In 2008 the commonwealth saw 1,468 traffic fatalities.

According to PennDOT's preliminary numbers, significant decreases were noted in unrestrained, alcohol-related and aggressive driving fatalities.

Unrestrained fatalities decreased from 567 in 2008 to 451 in 2009. Alcohol-related fatalities dropped from 531 in 2008 to 442 last year.

Deaths attributed to aggressive driving dropped to 130, down from 141 in 2008.

By The Associated Press