In September, the Borough of Hatboro requested that PennDOT conduct a speed and safety review along South York Road between Armour and Crooked Billet Roads following in the events of a fatal crash.
The study, completed later that month, analyzed traffic flow in both directions. Now, the results are in.
Using PennDOT’s engineering standards and the federal USLIMITS2 tool, which considers factors like roadway design, traffic volume, development, and crash history, the review concluded that a speed limit reduction is not warranted at this time.
For southbound traffic near Crooked Billet Road, the 85th percentile speed was 42 mph (average 37 mph) based on 10,697 vehicles. For northbound traffic near Mill Road, the 85th percentile speed was 45 mph (average 41 mph) from 5,638 vehicles. The posted speed limit is 35 mph.
Recognizing residents’ ongoing concerns about speeding, officials emphasized that effective solutions require a combination of engineering, education, and enforcement.
To support education efforts, the Hatboro Police Department has proposed installing two permanent dynamic speed display signs, one in each direction on York Road. These digital signs alert drivers to their current speed and have been shown to encourage safer driving behavior. The proposal has been included in the Borough’s 2026 budget for review.
Hatboro Police will also increase targeted traffic enforcement in partnership with state law enforcement agencies.
The Accident
On Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at approximately 1:59 a.m., officers from the Hatboro Police Department were dispatched to the area of 517 South York Road in response to a reported motor vehicle accident.
Upon arrival, responding units discovered that the incident involved a single vehicle, identified as a sedan, which had veered off the roadway and collided with a utility pole.
The driver, who was the only occupant of the vehicle at the time of the crash, sustained fatal injuries as a result of the collision, Hatboro police announced. Despite the immediate response of emergency personnel, the individual was pronounced deceased at the scene. At this time, the identity of the driver is being withheld pending proper notification of the next of kin.
The Hatboro Police Department was supported at the scene by members of the Enterprise Fire Company, the Second Alarmers Rescue Squad, the Upper Moreland Police Department, and the Whitemarsh Police Department. Their combined efforts assisted in securing the crash site, providing medical evaluation, and ensuring public safety while the investigation proceeded.
