Traffic fatalities in Pennsylvania are at their lowest in history, but fatalities in Butler County have stayed the same in the past few years.

The number of fatal crashes statewide totaled 1,195 in 2014, the lowest since record keeping began in 1928, according to data the state Department of Transportation released Wednesday.

In Butler County, there were 25 fatalities in 2014. This was up from 18 in 2013, but down from 28 in 2012.

In the county, the greatest number of deaths resulted from single vehicle off the road crashes, with 12 deaths.

The second highest number of deaths came from vehicles hitting fixed objects, with 10 deaths. Deaths from people not using seat belts and crashes involving alcohol each resulted in nine deaths.

PennDOT data shows that while the number of highway deaths statewide dropped in many types of crashes, there were significant decreases in unbuckled, drinking-driver-related and hit-tree crashes last year when compared to 2013.

Unbuckled fatalities dropped from 425 to 383. Deaths in drinking-driver related crashes declined to from 342 to 294. Fatalities in hit-tree crashes decreased from 254 to 221.

But fatalities increased in some types of crashes, including those involving hit utility poles and drowsy or sleeping drivers. There were 113 fatalities in crashes involving hit utility poles, up from 103 in 2013. Also, deaths in drowsy or asleep crashes increased to 23 from 10 in 2013.

Ashley Schoch, a PennDOT spokesman, said the state has invested $50 million in the past five years in safety improvements at about 4,000 sites in the state. These improvements include items like rumble strips.

The department also invests about $20 million annually in state and federal funds for safety education and enforcement efforts statewide.

Deborah Casadei, a PennDOT spokesman, said every state road is looked at to see what changes could be made to make it safer. Additionally, she said PennDOT evaluates roads after every crash to see what improvements could be made.

“Every crash is looked at,” Casadei said.

Some improvements that are considered include reflective pavement markings, raised pavement markings and signs.

In the county since 1997, the earliest year statistics were available, fatalities have remained relatively even. The highest number was in 2000, with 32 deaths. The lowest was in 2011, with 17 deaths.

Statistics about crash and fatalities are available dotcrashinfo.pa.gov.