A TEZ is an enforcement strategy that aims to reduce the number of accidents, injuries and deaths on Pennsylvania roadways. This high-visibility enforcement is led by a police officer positioned at the beginning of the TEZ.
This officer relays potential violations of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code officers in pursuit vehicles. The pursuit officers initiate a traffic stop based on alleged violations observed in the TEZ.
Officers were on the lookout for aggressive driving behaviors. These include speeding, following too closely (tailgating), improper passing and running red lights.
During their enforcement activities, officers detained 29 vehicles. Twenty-two citations were issued; of those, 17 were for speeding. One violation was issued for operating a vehicle under a suspended license. Additionally, officers issued 18 warnings.
This TEZ was conducted as part of the most recent wave of the Pennsylvania Aggressive Driving Education and Enforcement Project. The wave, which wrapped up Aug. 16, saw participation from more than 330 municipal police agencies and the Pennsylvania State Police.
Funding for the additional enforcement comes from part of PennDOT’s statewide distribution of $2.3 million in federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
PennDOT data for Clearfield County shows that in 2011, seven people who were killed in accidents were not wearing their seat belt. Additionally, 161 people who were injured in Clearfield County accidents last year were not wearing a seat belt.
For more information on aggressive driving, visit www.JustDrivePA.org and click on the Traffic Safety Information Center.