A New Year’s Eve crackdown on traffic enforcement begins by State Police begins Friday in advance of the holiday.

The Pennsylvania State Police Troop M that  patrols  in Bucks, Lehigh and Northampton counties announced their annual New Year’s Holiday Enforcement crackdown.

The New Year’s Holiday Enforcement period begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 30, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 1, State Police said.

This safety initiative called the Pennsylvania Aggressive Driving Enforcement Education Program targets drivers who aggressively operate their vehicles in a manner that’s dangerous to the public. Those dangers include speeding, seatbelt violations, and child seat belt infractions.

During last years New Years Eve traffic enforcement action

State Troopers investigated a total of 32 crashes and made 25 Driving Under the Influence arrests.

State Police also issued 16 speeding citations, 20 seatbelt violations, 11 occupant protection warnings, 18 self-initiated criminal arrests, plus 527 traffic related infractions.

State Troopers will also focus on distracting drivers who violate:

-Texting While Driving

-Handheld Mobile Telephone

-Prohibiting Use of Hearing Impairment Devices

-Prohibiting Text-Based Communications

-Careless Driving

-Reckless Driving

In addition, S.T.E.A.D.D. (Selective Traffic Enforcement Against Drunk Drivers) and D.R.E. (Drug Recognition Expert) Troopers will specifically focus on apprehending motorists operating their vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

State Public Safety officials also wanted to remind the pubic of the potential penalties for attempting to flee and or eluded police.

Motorists are reminded of the mandates of Title 75 Section 3733, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police Officer, which stipulates that any driver of a motor vehicle who willfully fails or refuses to bring their vehicle to a stop, or who otherwise flees or attempts to elude a pursuing police officer, commits an offense, graded up to a Felony of the 3rd Degree, which carries a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, and restitution for damages and/or injuries sustained as a result of the pursuit officials said.