PennDOT, Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), Highway Safety Network of New Jersey, Holmdel Township Police Department, Delaware River Port Authority, and safety advocate Eileen Miller held an event at the Walt Whitman Bridge in South Philadelphia to urge safe driving for the statewide aggressive driving enforcement wave.
As part of a coordinated enforcement effort, agencies across both states will unite for a one-day operation on April 14. No matter where you drive, if you engage in aggressive driving, you will be stopped by the police.
Credit: Lower Bucks Hospital
“Keeping our roadways safe is truly a collective effort,” stated PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “We’re committed to reminding drivers to slow down, buckle up, and stay distraction-free, while also encouraging everyone to remain calm and courteous on the road. Together, we can make a difference.”
According to preliminary 2025 PennDOT crash data, there were 2,159 aggressive driving crashes, resulting in 36 fatalities and 111 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.
Eileen Miller has dedicated the past 13 years to advocating for legislation to reduce cell phone use among drivers. The recently passed Paul Miller’s Law prohibits Pennsylvania drivers from using handheld devices, including cell phones, while operating a vehicle. Until June 5, police officers can issue written warnings to drivers, after which they will have the authority to issue $50 citations for violations.
The law is named after Miller, Jr., a man from Scranton who died in July 2010 when a tractor-trailer driver lost control after reaching for his cell phone and crashed into his vehicle.
“I don’t want any parent to ever have to go to a morgue to identify their child, by something so preventable,” said Eileen Miller. “I know that this piece of legislation is going to save lives, and that was the most important thing.”
“The Pennsylvania State Police is committed to enforcing laws against aggressive and distracted driving to reduce crashes and save lives,” said PSP Captain Jonathan Sunderlin. “Troopers will focus on drivers who are speeding, tailgating, not using turn signals, and driving while distracted. The Pennsylvania State Police is collaborating with law enforcement agencies across the state to ensure that this initiative is extensive and effective.”
Credit: PennDOT
The coordinated enforcement is part of an aggressive driving enforcement wave running through April 26, focused on speeding, distracted driving, and work zone awareness. Drivers exhibiting other unsafe behaviors, such as driving too fast for conditions, following too closely, or making careless lane changes, will also be cited.
PSP, as well as more than 80 municipal agencies, 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.
In partnership with the New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey Association of Chiefs of Police, police departments across the Garden State will mirror the efforts made in Pennsylvania. Additional troopers will use radar and laser to enforce New Jersey’s speeding laws, look for drivers distracted by their cell phones, and enforce the Move Over Law through the end of April. They will be supported by municipal officers statewide participating in the initiative through the “Goal Zero” campaign, with additional coordinated enforcement on April 14.
Credit: Haley Hepworth
“Aggressive driving can endanger everyone on the road,” said Patrolman Matthew Menosky from the Holmdel Township Police Department. “We all have destinations in mind and want to reach them safely. Let’s all commit to sharing the road and making our journeys safer and more pleasant for everyone.”
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.
- Do not 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.
Click here for more information on safe driving in Pennsylvania.
Click here for more information on the Pennsylvania State Police.
The public can join the discussion on social media using the hashtags – #BeSafePA and #AggressiveDriving
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