Pennsylvania State Police urge motorists to drive safely, obey traffic laws, and buckle up this Easter holiday season. They also are warning that troopers will be conducting a regional holiday enforcement.
Pennsylvania State Police Troop M, which covers Bucks, Lehigh, and Northampton counties, has announced that the Easter Holiday Enforcement period will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Friday and conclude at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday.
The enforcement effort is a part of the Pennsylvania Aggressive Driving Enforcement Education Program (P.A.D.E.E.P), aimed at targeting drivers who operate their motor vehicles aggressively in a way that endangers members of the public, including speeding, seat belt violations, and child seat belt infractions.
During the Easter Holiday Enforcement period, troopers will also focus on motorists who violate Texting While Driving, Handheld Mobile Telephone, Prohibiting Use of Hearing Impairment Devices, Prohibiting Text-Based Communications, Careless Driving, and Reckless Driving.
State police will also deploy troopers trained in Selective Traffic Enforcement Against Drunk Drivers (S.T.E.A.D.D.) and Drug Recognition Expert (D.R.E.) to apprehend drivers operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the enforcement period.
The Pennsylvania State Police announced that a DUI checkpoint will be conducted over the weekend, but it will outside of Bucks County.
Drivers are reminded of the rules about trying to elude or flee from a police officer. According to the law, any driver of a motor vehicle who knowingly fails or refuses to stop their vehicle, or who evades or attempts to evade a pursuing police officer in any other way, commits a crime that is punishable by up to a Felony of the Third Degree. The maximum punishment for this is seven years in prison, a fine of $15,000, and payment for any losses incurred due to the chase.
