Law enforcement, PennDOT, encourage safe driving in summer months
Agencies from multiple states came together Wednesday to remind motorists of the importance of staying safe on the roads during Memorial Day weekend and beyond.
The state Department of Transportation, Pennsylvania State Police, West Virginia State Police, Ohio State Highway Patrol, West Virginia Department of Transportation and AAA East Central collaborate on Operation CARE to encourage safe driving in the region. CARE stands for Combined Accident Reduction Effort.
The agencies were all represented at an event Wednesday morning at the Pennsylvania Welcome Center along Interstate 70 in Claysville.
AAA East Central notes that Memorial Day begins the “100 Deadliest Days” when it comes to traffic accidents.
“AAA estimates that more than 45.1 million Americans will travel over the Memorial Day holiday. That’s, of course, the unofficial start of summer. Most will travel by car, and a few million people, believe it or not, will pass through this region alone,” said Terri Petrick, president of AAA East Central.
Petrick spoke about the danger law enforcement faces when responding to incidents on the highway, and asked that motorists respect laws that require drivers to move over when approaching first responders or road crews.
“It’s up to any one of us behind the wheel to say ‘thank you’ this weekend and all summer long,” Petrick said. “You can do this by driving sober, ditching distractions, and moving over and slowing down.”
Also speaking Wednesday was PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. He encouraged anyone riding in a vehicle to wear their seat belts, as is required by law.
He said that 94% of “unbelted occupants” killed in vehicle accidents last year could have survived if they had put on their seat belts.
“Whether you are driving a short distance in your hometown or a weekend getaway, the most important single step you can take is to buckle up,” Carroll said.
Capt. Jeremy Barni, commanding officer of state police Troop B, said that each year law enforcement aims to reduce the number of deaths in vehicle accidents.
“Our goal is to save lives. There is no question these efforts of these people and those before us have saved countless lives on our highways,” Barni said.
He added that the enforcement of traffic laws goes a long way to preventing serious injuries on the roadway.
“Every traffic stop these officers make contributes to the overall goal of saving lives,” Barni said. “Not only do they stop the immediate threat of aggressive driving or impaired driving, but each stop is a deterrent and a reminder to other persons on the roadway to refrain from getting behind the wheel when they are impaired or slow them down and obey the traffic laws.”