PennDOT, police join traffic safety effort during holiday
The state Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced it will be partnering with state and local police to crack down on aggressive and impaired drivers during the 4th of July holiday. “We hope that everyone celebrates the holiday in a safe and responsible way,” PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler said in a press release. “If your holiday plans include travel, remember to designate a sober driver, buckle up and avoid aggressive driving.”
According to PennDOT, there were 366 crashes and 10 fatalities reported on July 4 last year, with an additional 810 crashes and 11 fatalities occurred during the weekends before and after the holiday.
To deter dangerous driving behavior, PennDOT officials and local police departments have implemented the Smooth Operator enforcement, which will run through July 6.
Motorists will be ticketed and fined for aggressive driving such as speeding, tailgating, running red lights and weaving through traffic, officials said.
During a Smooth Operator detail in April, nearly 60,000 citations and arrests were recorded across the state.
Along with the Smooth Operator program, police will target impaired drivers with roving patrols and checkpoints. PennDOT officials said police cited alcohol played a role in 141 crashes and seven fatalities during the 4th of July holiday last year.
PennDOT officials also reminded motorists to use extra caution in highway work zones and to remember to turn on headlights in construction areas.