Statistics from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reveal that Carbon, Schuylkill, Northampton and Monroe counties are among those with the fewest crashes in the state in recent years.

Although Lehigh County's numbers were in the higher range, its crash-related deaths have decreased from 42 in 2012 to 30 in 2013.According to Joe Schatz, police chief of Jim Thorpe, it is crucial that people are as informed as possible."We are sure to participate in all the programs that are put out by the commonwealth," he said.With the help of funding from these programs, officers can spend more time enforcing laws that promote safe driving."It gives us an added bonus to help us ensure safety throughout the borough," Schatz said.The Pennsylvania Aggressive Driving Enforcement and Education Project is one of the numerous programs that focuses on drivers by observing crash data and identifying locations where aggressive driving most often occurs.These locations are patrolled, and drivers are cited for driving too fast for conditions, following too closely, careless driving, red light running and any other aggressive driving actions.Educating people on safe driving is important not only for those behind the wheel, but for passengers as well.Schools in the area provide information sessions for students in kindergarten through grade 12, with the help of Buckle Up PA.Sessions are presented by local police officers and are focused on seat belt use, but are tailored to specific age groups.Elementary students learn about pedestrian and school bus safety, middle school students are taught to only get in the car with a safe driver, and high school students are made aware of the transition from passenger to driver.Car crashes are the leading cause of death for teens in the U.S., so the earlier they are informed, the better.A specific program, "16 Minutes," is presented to students just before they turn 16 and can legally drive.The program addresses what new drivers should expect from this new responsibility, and covers everything from behaviors that cause crashes to ticket procedures and pricing."The classes are informative because seat belt laws have changed. They cover why it's important to wear a seat belt, along with statistics and consequences," said Carol Alonge, assistant AD coordinator for the Pennsylvania Traffic Safety Network.Buckle Up PA ends its program with a reminder to both drivers and passengers: "Driving is a privilege, not a right."