Police in Newtown Borough and Newtown Township are joining forces with the Pennsylvania State Police in a coordinated aggressive driving enforcement wave.
PennDOT announced Monday that the enforcement wave will focus on reducing distracted driving, speeding, and improving work zone awareness. Motorists exhibiting other unsafe behaviors such as driving too fast for conditions, following too closely, or other aggressive actions will also be cited.
More than 80 municipal police departments across Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties are working with troopers. The Bensalem Township, Bristol Borough, Bristol Township, Falls Township, Lower Southampton Township, Middletown Township, Newtown Borough, Newtown Township, Northampton Township, Penndel Borough, and Upper Southampton Township police departments are taking part in Lower Bucks County.
PennDOT officials said the wave is designed reduce the number of crashes, injuries, and fatalities on area roadways. The statewide mobilization is underway runs through April 23.
The law enforcement agencies will use various strategies, including traffic enforcement zones, saturation patrols, speed enforcement details, corridor enforcement, work zone enforcement, and multi-jurisdictional patrol tactics to identify and cite aggressive drivers, according to PennDOT.
Preliminary 2022 crash data revealed that in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties alone there were 1,326 aggressive driving crashes. These resulted in 37 fatalities and 94 suspected serious injuries, according to PennDOT.
Aggressive driving crashes noted by PennDOT are those involving at least two aggressive driving factors in the same crash. Factors include running stop signs or red lights, tailgating, careless turning or passing, and driving too fast for conditions.
“The goal of targeted enforcement is to reduce the number of aggressive driving related crashes, injuries, and deaths on roadways throughout the state. Any aggressive driver stopped by police will receive a ticket,” officials said in a statement.
PennDOT offers the following tips to motorists encountering an aggressive driver:
• Get out of their way and don’t challenge them.
• Stay relaxed, avoid eye contact, and ignore rude gestures.
• Don’t 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.
PennDOT’s Highway Safety Program funds the enforcement wave, which is part of the agency’s investment of federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
