The organized effort to focus on aggressive driving stems from the Pennsylvania Aggressive Driving Enforcement and Education Project that is funded by part of PennDOT’s investment of federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“Our number one goal is to keep our roads safe,” says PennDOT District 6 Executive Kenneth M. McClain. “This type of aggressive driving enforcement coupled with community outreach and education will reduce dangerous driving behaviors that put motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians at risk.”

Participating police departments target motorists exhibiting aggressive-driving behaviors such as running red lights, speeding and tailgating. Their aim 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 citation.

Municipal police agencies that participated in last year’s campaign wrote 44,610 aggressive-driving related citations, including 27,017 for speeding. Failing to stop for red lights and stop signs resulted in 2,493 citations.

Additionally, the enforcement accounted for 33 felony arrests, 94 fugitives apprehended, 137 impaired driving arrests and 1,203 occupant protection citations.

If you encounter an aggressive driver, PennDOT offers these tips:

• Get out of their way and don’t challenge them;
• Stay relaxed, avoid eye contact and ignore rude gestures; and
• Don’t block the passing lane if you are driving slower than most of the traffic.