Stay Safe: How PennDOT’s Crackdown on Aggressive Driving Impacts Your Daily Commute

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KING OF PRUSSIA, PA — In a concerted effort to enhance road safety and reduce traffic incidents, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has announced a sweeping campaign targeting aggressive driving behaviors. This initiative enlists the cooperation of over 80 municipal police departments across Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, alongside the Pennsylvania State Police, in a coordinated enforcement wave.

Running through November 10, the campaign forms part of a statewide mobilization aimed at curbing the frequency of crashes, injuries, and fatalities on the roads. The enforcement effort will specifically target violations of Pennsylvania’s Move Over Law, school bus safety measures, speeding, and tailgating. Motorists who exhibit unsafe driving behaviors such as excessive speed or other aggressive actions will face citations.

To effectively identify and apprehend aggressive drivers, law enforcement will employ a range of strategies including traffic enforcement zones, saturation patrols, speed enforcement details, corridor and work zone enforcement, as well as multi-jurisdictional patrols. This approach is supported by funding from PennDOT’s allocation of federal funds provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

PennDOT has issued guidance for motorists encountering aggressive drivers, advising them to avoid confrontation, stay calm, and refrain from making eye contact or responding to rude gestures. Drivers are also urged not to block passing lanes if traveling slower than the flow of traffic and to report aggressive drivers to the police from a safe location.

According to 2023 data from PennDOT, there were 1,367 crashes attributed to aggressive driving in the targeted counties, resulting in 39 fatalities and 104 serious injuries. Aggressive driving incidents are characterized by the presence of at least two aggressive factors, such as running stop signs, tailgating, careless turning or passing, and driving too fast for conditions.

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The primary objective of this enforcement wave is to significantly reduce the number of aggressive driving-related crashes, injuries, and deaths across Pennsylvania’s roadways. By reinforcing compliance with traffic laws and promoting safer driving behaviors, PennDOT aims to foster a safer environment for all road users. Any driver found violating these regulations will be subject to citation by police officials.

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