State Police Launch Holiday Enforcement Effort Across Bucks County

Pennsylvania State Police Troop M is ramping up patrols this Thanksgiving holiday weekend as they focus on impaired, aggressive, and speeding drivers, as well as seat belt compliance.

The enhanced enforcement effort in Bucks, Lehigh, and Northampton counties will run from 12:01 a.m. Wednesday through 11:59 p.m. Sunday.

Troopers with special training in DUI and drug recognition will be working, with a primary goal of catching motorists driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“Troopers will specifically focus on apprehending motorist who operate their motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs,” state police in Bucks County said in a statement.

Last year during the same holiday period, Troop M investigated 67 crashes and made 33 arrests for driving under the influence.

The Thanksgiving detail is part of the larger Operation Safe Holiday, which includes the federally funded “Click It or Ticket” enforcement mobilization running statewide through Nov. 30.

“The Pennsylvania State Police is committed to ensuring the safety of everyone traveling on the highways and secondary roads of our Commonwealth,” said Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Col. Christopher Paris. “We have zero tolerance for impaired driving. Always wear your seat belt, drive sober, and eliminate distractions behind the wheel.”

Troopers will also be looking for drivers who are speeding, driving aggressively, and violating seat belt laws, including infractions involving child safety seats.

The statewide campaign is a collaboration between the state police, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, and the Pennsylvania Insurance Department.

“These enforcement efforts are not about tickets, they are about saving lives,” said PennDOT Executive Deputy Secretary Larry Shifflet. “Before hitting the road this holiday season, make a plan to get home safely. Designate a sober driver or plan to take a ride share. Put your phone down and always buckle up. Wearing your seat belt is your best defense against injury or death in the event of a crash.”

Enforcement campaigns for seat belts and impaired driving are being paid for through PennDOT’s annual distribution of funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Pennsylvania law mandates that drivers and front-seat passengers must be buckled up, as must any vehicle occupant younger than 18. Strict rules are in place for children: those under age 2 must be in a rear-facing car seat, children under 4 must be in an approved child safety seat, and children must use a booster seat until their eighth birthday.

According to PennDOT, Drivers should also be aware that the state’s new hands-free law, known as Paul Miller’s Law, is now in effect. The law prohibits the use of any hand-held device while driving, even during temporary stops in traffic. It expands upon the existing texting-while-driving ban.

Under the new law, drivers can still use hands-free technology for phone calls, GPS navigation, and music, and can still use their hand-held phones to alert emergency responders.

Travelers should brace for congestion, as the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission expects about 3.4 million drivers to travel the Turnpike during the six-day holiday period ending Sunday, Nov. 30. Tuesday and Wednesday are predicted to be the heaviest travel days.

For those involved in a crash, officials recommend the following steps:

Move your vehicle as far as possible from the travel lanes if it’s able to be driven.
Call 911 right away if your vehicle or another involved vehicle cannot be driven due to damage, or if one of the involved parties is injured.
Remain inside the vehicle with your seat belt on and hazard lights activated if your vehicle is disabled in the lane of travel.
If it’s not safe to remain inside your vehicle, assess the situation and get yourself and passengers to a place of safety such as behind a barrier or guiderail. Do so as quickly as possible and DO NOT remain in the travel lanes or near your vehicle.
Exchange information with the other driver(s). Be sure to obtain the name, insurance company name, and phone number of each of the other drivers. If you cannot obtain this information, write down the license plate number of each of the other drivers.
Other important information is as follows:

The year, make, and model of each of the other cars.
If there are witnesses, their names and contact information.
If an officer comes to the scene, their name, badge number, police report number, and contact information.
After the crash, write down the date, time, and location. If possible, take photos. Write down what happened.

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