HARRISBURG – State Police Commissioner Jeffrey B. Miller urged motorists to drive carefully and to avoid becoming aggressive drivers when traveling during the upcoming holidays.
“For everyone’s safety, we urge all drivers to use common sense on the road this holiday season,” Miller said. “Don’t be in a rush and try to cut a few minutes off your driving time by speeding or engaging in other reckless driving behavior. You have very little to gain and so much to lose.”
State troopers patrolling Pennsylvania highways will be watching for speeders, aggressive drivers and drunken drivers during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday driving periods. The Christmas period starts on Dec. 22 and ends on Christmas Day. The New Year’s driving period is Dec. 29 through Jan. 1.
“This is a wonderful time of the year,” Miller said. “Get into the spirit of the season by being a courteous driver. Above all, take the time to be sure that you and all of your passengers are securely buckled up before you pull out of the driveway.”
During last year’s three-day Christmas driving period, two people were killed and 222 others were injured in 588 crashes investigated by state police. Six people died and 255 were injured in the 761 crashes to which troopers responded during last year’s three-day New Year’s driving period.
In addition, State troopers will take part in Operation C.A.R.E.’s “National Holiday Lifesaver Weekend” from through Sunday. C.A.R.E., which stands for Combined Accident Reduction Effort, is a national program aimed at reducing crashes on interstate highways during holiday periods.