The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is reminding motorists that a statewide aggressive driving enforcement wave is currently in place this Halloween season involving municipal police departments in the Philadelphia region in partnership with the Pennsylvania State Police.
It is part of a statewide mobilization that will continue through November 9. The goal is to reduce the number of crashes, injuries, and fatalities on our local roadways, ensuring your safety while driving, authorities said.
The enforcement will target the Move Over Law, school bus safety, speeding, and tailgating. Motorists demonstrating unsafe behaviors, such as driving too fast for conditions or other aggressive actions, will also be cited, said officials at a press conference late last week.
Law enforcement will utilize strategies such as traffic enforcement zones, saturation patrols, speed enforcement details, corridor enforcement, work zone enforcement, and multi-jurisdictional patrols to identify and cite aggressive drivers.
State Police implemented sobriety checkpoints last weekend in Lower Bucks County as part of the targeted enforcement.
This enforcement is part of Pennsylvania’s Highway Safety Program and is funded by part of PennDOT’s investment of federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Bristol Borough Police Department SUV on traffic stop at Burger King at Rt 13 and Beaver St
Credit: Jeff Bohen Lower Bucks Source
According to 2024 PennDOT crash data, there were 1,559 aggressive driving crashes, resulting in 40 fatalities and 93 suspected serious injuries in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Aggressive driving crashes involve at least two aggressive driving factors in the same crash. Factors include, but are not limited to, running stop signs or red lights, tailgating, careless turning or passing, and driving too fast for conditions.
If you encounter an aggressive driver, PennDOT offers these tips:
- Get out of their way and stay as far away as possible.
- Do not engage or challenge the driver in any way.
- Stay relaxed, avoid eye contact, and ignore rude gestures.
- Don’t block the passing lane if you are driving slower than most of the traffic.
- Do not attempt to follow or pursue the vehicle.
- You or a passenger may call the police. But if you use a cell phone, pull over to a safe location. If you can, note the license plate and a description of the car.
Motorists should be extra cautious during trick-or-treat events, especially in residential neighborhoods. There will be lots of children out, who aren’t necessarily paying attention to traffic.