PennDOT, Safety Partners Announce Traffic Safety Campaign

​Montoursville, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation(PennDOT), the Highway Safety Network, and the Lycoming Regional Police Department (LRPD) today announced a traffic safety campaign aimed to reduce aggressive driving crashes, injuries, and fatalities. The campaign takes place during a targeted aggressive-driving enforcement wave which runs from March 18 through April 28, 2024.

This 5-week enforcement wave focuses on distracted driving, speeding, and work zone awareness. Motorists exhibiting other unsafe behaviors such as driving too fast for conditions, following too closely, failing to yield the right of way, or other aggressive actions and stopped by police will receive a ticket.

In an effort to make local streets safer for all who walk, cycle, play, drive, and ride, participants distributed "No Need to Speed" decals to be displayed at businesses along the downtown area of Jersey Shore Borough, and the Lycoming Creek Road corridor in Old Lycoming, Lycoming and Hepburn townships.

Lycoming Regional Police Department collected speed data before the decal distribution and will conduct additional speed data to determine the effectiveness of the project.

LRPD Captain Chris Kriner highlighted the effort:

"Aggressive drivers continue to be a serious problem on our roadways throughout the region. Traffic safety is public safety and LRPD will continue to partner with PennDOT and our other law enforcement partners to focus on aggressive driving enforcement to prevent traffic crashes and save lives throughout our Lycoming County Region. We hope posting the No Need to Speed decals throughout our region will be a visible reminder to all motorists to commit to driving safe."

According to preliminary PennDOT data, there were 1,164 aggressive driving related crashes in Lycoming County from 2019-2023, resulting in 19 fatalities and 39 suspected serious injuries.

PennDOT reminds motorists speeding puts you, your passengers, and others on the road at risk. Slow down, save a life. There is No Need to Speed.

If you encounter an aggressive driver, PennDOT offers these tips for what to do:

• Get out of their way and do not challenge them.
• 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.
  

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 (NHTSA).

For more information on aggressive driving, visit PennDOT.pa.gov/safety.

Editor's Note: Attached photo caption: LRPD Captain Chris Kriner and business participant Jason Eberhart, State Farm display the No Need to Speed Campaign decal.

Media Contact: Kim Smith, [email protected] or 570-368-4344

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