CLAYSVILLE, PA — Pennsylvania State Police are expanding seat belt and impaired-driving enforcement through Jan. 1, 2027, as part of a three-state holiday traffic safety campaign launched Tuesday, Nov. 10, following a holiday travel season in which alcohol- and drug-related crashes claimed 33 lives on Pennsylvania roads.
The initiative, Operation Safe Holiday, combines sobriety checkpoints, roving patrols and targeted traffic enforcement across Pennsylvania, with coordinated efforts in Ohio and West Virginia.
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll joined Pennsylvania State Police Troop B Commander Capt. Jeremy Barni and highway safety officials from neighboring states at the Washington Welcome Center in Claysville to outline the enforcement campaign.
According to PennDOT, Pennsylvania recorded 832 alcohol-related crashes during the previous holiday travel period, which began the Wednesday before Thanksgiving in 2025 and continued through Jan. 2, 2026.
Those crashes resulted in 18 deaths and nearly 500 injuries.
An additional 293 drug-related crashes caused 15 deaths and more than 200 injuries during the same period.
Combined, the two categories accounted for 1,125 reported crashes and 33 fatalities, underscoring the risks associated with impaired driving during the holiday travel season.
Pennsylvania’s enforcement campaign began Monday, Nov. 9, with the Thanksgiving Click It or Ticket mobilization, which continues through Nov. 30.
The effort focuses on seat belt compliance and includes free child passenger safety seat fitting clinics offered by Pennsylvania State Police at locations throughout the commonwealth.
A separate Holiday Season Impaired Driving Campaign begins Nov. 25 and continues through Jan. 1.
During that period, law enforcement agencies will conduct sobriety checkpoints, roving patrols and routine traffic enforcement targeting motorists suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“Your choices behind the wheel can change lives forever,” Carroll stated. “Make safe choices. Designate a sober driver or plan to take a ride share. Put your phone down and always buckle up.”
The enforcement campaign extends beyond Pennsylvania through partnerships with the West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
West Virginia law enforcement agencies will conduct a Thanksgiving impaired-driving enforcement initiative from Nov. 25 through Nov. 29.
Ohio troopers are focusing throughout November on violations associated with traffic crashes, particularly impaired driving, distracted driving and failure to wear seat belts.
Both neighboring states will also participate in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign during December and the New Year’s holiday period.
Barni emphasized that Pennsylvania troopers will coordinate with local and regional law enforcement agencies throughout the enforcement period.
“Troopers will conduct targeted enforcement efforts aimed at deterring impaired driving,” Barni stated.
The campaign also draws attention to Pennsylvania’s restrictions on handheld electronic devices while driving.
Under Paul Miller’s Law, motorists are prohibited from using handheld devices while operating a vehicle, including when temporarily stopped at traffic signals, in congestion or during other brief traffic delays.
Drivers may continue using hands-free technology for telephone calls, navigation and music.
The law also permits handheld device use to contact emergency authorities.
PennDOT and participating law enforcement agencies are encouraging motorists to avoid distractions, arrange sober transportation when consuming alcohol and ensure all vehicle occupants are properly restrained.
West Virginia officials additionally emphasized the importance of slowing down and moving over for emergency personnel and traffic incident responders working along highways.
“When emergency personnel and law enforcement are working on the roadside during these holiday enforcement waves, they deserve our full attention and respect,” West Virginia Governor’s Highway Safety Program Director Jack McNeely stated.
The Pennsylvania enforcement efforts are funded through PennDOT’s annual allocation from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Additional highway safety information is available at www.pa.gov/dotsafety.
Motorists traveling during the holiday season can monitor road conditions through Pennsylvania’s 511PA service at www.511PA.com.
The free service operates around the clock and provides traffic delay alerts, weather forecasts, highway speed information and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras.
Travelers can also obtain information through the 511PA mobile application or by calling 511.
PennDOT’s welcome centers operate seven days a week, including most holidays, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. They provide travel information, tourism assistance and information about accommodations and regional attractions.
Additional travel information is available at visitpa.com or by calling 1-800-VISIT-PA (847-4872).
Operation Safe Holiday will continue through New Year’s Day, with enforcement efforts concentrated around Thanksgiving, Christmas and the year-end travel period.
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