As the busy holiday travel season approaches, PennDOT, Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), AAA, and other law enforcement officials to remind drivers about the importance of safe driving practices and other the consistent use of seat belts.
Operation Safe Holiday began on November 10 with the “Click It or Ticket” Thanksgiving enforcement mobilization and will continue until November 30. In Pennsylvania, all passengers under 18 are required by law to wear seat belts while traveling in a vehicle. Additionally, drivers and front-seat passengers must also buckle up. Children under two years old must be secured in a rear-facing car seat. Children under four years old must be restrained in an approved child safety seat, and children must use a booster seat until they turn eight years old.
“Buckling up takes less than three seconds and is the most effective way to reduce the risk of death or serious injury in a vehicle crash,” said Pennsylvania State Trooper Jessica Tobin. “We want everyone to arrive safely at their Thanksgiving dinners and holiday gatherings, and wearing a seatbelt is one of the simplest ways to help ensure a safe arrival.”
Unfortunately, impaired driving has left a tragic imprint on many families during the Thanksgiving season. According to PennDOT 2024 data, there were 431 crashes resulting in seven fatalities in the Philadelphia region during the Thanksgiving travel period, from Wednesday, November 27, through Monday, December 2. Of those, 38 crashes and three fatalities were impaired-driving related.
In addition to reminding everyone to wear seat belts during holiday travel, PennDOT also wants motorists to understand that alcohol is not the only substance that can impair driving abilities.
Alcohol, marijuana, and various other drugs can affect a driver’s coordination, judgment, and reaction times. Some prescription and over-the-counter medications can cause severe drowsiness, dizziness, and other side effects. Motorists should read and follow all warning labels carefully, especially those that advise against “operating heavy machinery,” which includes driving a vehic
File Image: Pennsylvania State Police Patrol Unit in Morrisville Borough Credit: J4ff Bohen Lower Bucks Source
Throughout Operation Safe Holiday, law enforcement will conduct sobriety checkpoints, roving patrols, and regular traffic safety patrols beginning Wednesday, November 19, through the New Year’s holiday to crack down on drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol.
“Let’s make this holiday season a time of joy and not sorrow. If you plan to drink, plan ahead. Arrange for a designated driver, take SEPTA, or use a rideshare service,” said Media Borough Police Chief John McCormick.
Tips to get home safely:
- Plan for a sober ride home, and if you need to, designate someone to hold you accountable.
- If you choose to drink, don’t drive impaired. Call a sober friend, rideshare, or taxi, or take public transportation to get home safely.
- If you’re hosting and see someone about to drive impaired, take their keys and help them get home safely.
“With more than 73 million Americans projected to be on the roadways during the long Thanksgiving holiday weekend, those choosing to drive impaired are not only endangering themselves, but millions of others as well,” said AAA Mid-Atlantic Manager of Public and Government Affairs Jana Tidwell. “It’s never OK to get behind the wheel of a vehicle when you are buzzed, drunk, or otherwise impaired. The risk of injury or death for yourself, passengers, and others on the roadway is not worth it, especially when there are options for you to get home safely. AAA wants everyone to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with friends and family, and not have to deal with the horrific devastation caused by impaired driving. Drunk driving is 100 percent preventable. Safety should always be the top priority for yourself, your passengers, and others on the roads.”
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