‘SLOW DOWN, BUCKLE UP’
State, local police team up to curtail aggressive driving
A statewide crackdown Wednesday, March 30, on aggressive driving, principally speeding, had state police and local police bookending a 4-mile section of Route 422 in Exeter Township, where nearly 650 crashes last year alone underscored the need for enforcement.
The coordinated, high-visibility enforcement between state and local police was part of a federally funded aggressivedriving enforcement wave running through April 24 focused on speeding, distracted driving and work zone awareness, according to PennDOT.
The goal of targeted enforcement is to reduce the number of aggressive driving related crashes, injuries, and deaths on roadways throughout the state.
State police and more than 300 municipal agencies on Wednesday concentrated efforts on roads that are known to have a high number of aggressive-driving crashes, which made the Wednesday morning rush the wrong time to race to the front of the line of traffic merging from the eastbound West Shore Bypass onto Perkiomen Avenue, also known as Business Route 422.
“Safety on our roadways is everyone’s responsibility,” PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian said in a news release ahead of Wednesday’s aggressive-driving mobilization. “PennDOT often urges drivers to slow down, buckle up, and to never drive distracted or impaired, but staying calm and courteous while driving is just as important.”
In 2020, there were 5,615 aggressive-driving crashes resulting in 91 fatalities and 401 suspected serious injuries. Preliminary 2021 data indicates fatalities in aggressive-driving crashes — accidents involving two or more aggressive driving factors — may have increased by as much as 40%.
“We have a big problem on 422,” said Sgt. Sean Fullerton, public information officer with the Exeter Township Police Department, during a brief press conference in the township building during Wednesday’s enforcement activity. “Last year, we had about 640 crashes right here in Exeter alone, and most of those were caused by speeding or illegal turning.”
Ticketing vehicles is just part of the response by law enforcement, Fullerton said. Educating motorists through high-visibility enforcement details is also important because it reminds motorists to slow down.
Statewide in 2020, there were 24,978 speeding-related crashes, resulting in 433 fatalities and 1,387 suspected serious injuries, according to PennDOT.
It helps that motorists see state police also enforcing speed and other aggressive driving behaviors on roads such as Route 422 because it sends the message that state and local police are working together, said Exeter police Sgt. David Bentz, who helps coordinate enforcement activities funded by grants channeled through the Highway Safety Network.
While Exeter officers focused on the eastbound merge of the bypass with Perkiomen Avenue, a team of troopers worked the eastern end of the township at the intersection with Daniel Boone Road, about 4 miles away.
In 2020, state troopers issued more than 107,000 speeding citations, including more than 2,000 for driving 100 mph or faster. Last year, those numbers saw an increase as speeding citations to
taled more than 129,000. In addition, more than 2,200 tickets were issued for driving 100 mph or more.
Wednesday’s statewide crackdown including the Pennsyslvania Turnpike.
“With the return to the road and more normal work and school schedules, we are finding that many have forgotten safe-driving behaviors and may also experience higher levels of distraction and stress,” Turnpike CEO Mark Compton said in a news release.. “Aggressive driving can be triggered by heavy traffic and drivers in a rush. This type of driving plays a major role in crashes and fatal collisions.”
The enforcement is part of Pennsylvania’s Highway Safety Program and is funded by part of PennDOT’s investment of federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
AGGRESSIVE DRIVING FACTORS
• Improper/careless turning and illegal u-turn
• Proceeding w/o clearance after stop
• Running stop sign
• Running red light or ignoring other traffic control device
• Tailgating
• Sudden slowing/stopping
• Careless passing or lane change
• Passing in a no passing zone
• Making improper entrance to highway
• Making improper exit from highway
• Speeding and driving too fast for conditions
REACTING TO AN AGGRESSIVE DRIVER
• 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 the police. But, if you use a cell phone, pull over to a safe location. If you can, note the license plate and a description of the car.