PHILADELPHIA, PA — Drivers across Pennsylvania can expect increased police enforcement through April 26 as state and local agencies launch a coordinated crackdown on aggressive driving, targeting behaviors like speeding, distracted driving, and unsafe lane changes.
What This Means for You
- Police statewide are increasing enforcement for aggressive and distracted driving through April 26.
- A multi-state enforcement effort with New Jersey will take place on April 14.
- Drivers caught using handheld devices will face fines starting June 5.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and Pennsylvania State Police announced the enforcement wave Thursday at the Walt Whitman Bridge in South Philadelphia, joined by regional agencies and safety advocates.
Aggressive driving includes behaviors such as tailgating, running red lights, speeding, or making unsafe lane changes — often involving multiple risky actions in a single incident. Officials said enforcement will also focus on work zone safety and distracted driving, including cell phone use behind the wheel.
Enforcement Strategy
State police and roughly 300 municipal departments will conduct targeted patrols, including saturation patrols, speed enforcement zones, and coordinated multi-agency operations designed to identify and cite unsafe drivers.
A joint enforcement effort with New Jersey agencies is scheduled for April 14, with increased patrols on both sides of the Delaware River. Officials said drivers engaging in aggressive behavior can expect to be stopped regardless of where they cross state lines.
“The Pennsylvania State Police is committed to enforcing laws against aggressive and distracted driving to reduce crashes and save lives,” PSP Captain Jonathan Sunderlin said.
Crash Data and Trends
In 2024, Pennsylvania recorded 5,897 crashes involving aggressive driving, resulting in 106 fatalities and 405 suspected serious injuries.
Preliminary 2025 data shows fatalities in aggressive-driving crashes have increased, even as overall traffic deaths have declined, according to state officials. Final 2025 data is expected later this spring.
New Distracted Driving Law
Officials also pointed to “Paul Miller’s Law,” which bans the use of handheld devices while driving in Pennsylvania. The law took effect last year with a one-year warning period.
Beginning June 5, drivers convicted of using a handheld device while driving will face a $50 fine, in addition to court costs and other fees.
The law is named after a Scranton man killed in 2010 when a truck driver lost control while reaching for a phone.
“I don’t want any parent to ever have to go to a morgue to identify their child, by something so preventable,” said Eileen Miller, a safety advocate whose efforts helped lead to the law’s passage.
Safety Guidance for Drivers
Transportation officials urged drivers to avoid engaging with aggressive motorists and to prioritize safety by keeping distance, avoiding confrontation, and pulling over safely if contacting police.
Additional information is available at https://pa.gov/dotsafety and https://psp.pa.gov.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.