State police plan traffic enforcement
The state Department of Transportation, state police and local police are teaming for “Operation Safe Holiday,” an enforcement initiative focusing on seat-belt use and impaired driving that aims to reduce crashes and traffic fatalities this holiday season.
The operation begins with statewide Click It or Ticket seat-belt enforcement this weekend through Dec. 1. Law enforcement agencies will also conduct sobriety checkpoints, roving patrols and regular traffic safety patrols Wednesday and from Dec. 1 through the New Year’s holiday to crack down on drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol.
“Unfortunately, holiday crash totals have continued to trend upward this year,” PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch said. “Though there was a decrease in December data totals, Thanksgiving continues to be one of the most dangerous weekends for motorists. We continue to urge drivers to buckle up and avoid driving impaired on Pennsylvania’s roadways.”
According to PennDOT data, the holiday season continues to be the leading time period for traffic crashes. The Thanksgiving holiday period, including the weekends before and after the holiday as well as the day itself, experienced the highest number of crashes and fatalities of any major holiday season last year.