Overview
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), Highway Safety Network, and the State of New Jersey launched a multi-state aggressive driving enforcement effort that will run through April 26. The goal of this targeted enforcement is to reduce the number of aggressive-driving-related crashes, injuries, and deaths in both states.
The effort will be focused on speeding, distracted driving, and work zone awareness. Motorists exhibiting other unsafe behaviors, such as, driving too fast for conditions, following too closely, or making careless lane changes will also be cited.
Aggressive driving crashes involve two or more of the following factors:
- Speeding
- Making an illegal U-turn
- Improper or careless turning
- Turning from the wrong lane
- Proceeding without clearance after a stop
- Running a stop sign or red light
- Failure to respond to another traffic control device
- Tailgating
- Sudden slowing or stopping
- Careless passing or lane change
- Passing in a no passing zone
- Making an improper entrance or exit on a highway
- Driving too fast for conditions
- Driver fleeing police
If you encounter an aggressive driver, put your own safety first:
- Get out of their way and stay as far away as possible.
- Do not engage or challenge the driver in any way.
- 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 police but if you use a cell phone, pull over to a safe location. If you can, note the license plate and description of the car.
High-visibility enforcement is a safety countermeasure supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).