Harrisburg – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) and Pennsylvania Traffic Injury Prevention Project (PA TIPP) came together to promote safe summer travel.
“I’m pleased to join my colleagues to encourage Pennsylvanians to keep safety at the forefront over the upcoming Independence Day weekend and all summer long,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “No matter where your summer travels take you, always drive safely. Designate a sober driver or arrange for alternate transportation. Put the phone down and keep your full attention on the road. And buckle up! Seat belts save lives.”
Now through the Fourth of July Weekend, the Pennsylvania State Police and local law enforcement will conduct checkpoints and roving patrols as part of the Fourth of July Impaired Driving Campaign. This effort is funded through PennDOT’s statewide annual distribution of more than $6.2 million from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for impaired driving enforcement.
According to PennDOT data, in 2024 there were 47 alcohol-related crashes on July 4 through 6:00 AM July 5, resulting in one fatality and 38 injuries. During the same time, there were 13 drug-related crashes, resulting five injuries.
Last summer, from June through August, there were 2,238 crashes involving impaired driving, resulting in 116 fatalities and 1,650 injuries.
This summer, two new laws are in effect to support a safe transportation system for all Pennsylvanians, and for those who travel through the Commonwealth.
Signed into law by Governor Josh Shapiro last summer, “Paul Miller’s Law” prohibits the use of hand-held devices while driving, even when stopped temporarily due to traffic, a red light, or other momentary delay. Pennsylvania already enforces a texting-while-driving ban that prohibits drivers from using mobile devices to send, read, or write text-based communications while their vehicle is in motion. Law enforcement will issue written warnings for violations of Paul Miller’s Law through June 5, 2026, when summary citations will begin to be issued to violators.
Governor Shapiro also signed Act 150 of 2024 (75 Pa.C.S. § 3724) into law last November banning devices that flip vehicle license plates to bypass tolls, engage in reckless driving, and facilitate more serious crimes without detection. Drivers caught with these devices commit a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, pay a fine of $2,000. This is in addition to 75 Pa.C.S. § 1332 which makes it unlawful to display a license plate that is illegible, obscured, covered or otherwise obstructed in any manner which inhibits the proper operation of an automated enforcement or electronic toll collection system.
“The Pennsylvania State Police urges summer travelers to obey traffic laws for the safety of everyone on the road, including drivers, passengers, cyclists, pedestrians, emergency responders, and highway workers,” said PSP Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris. “Drive responsibly. Always wear your seat belt, never drive under the influence, and stay alert by avoiding distractions.”
This summer, distraction-free driving on the PA Turnpike is essential. As open road tolling (ORT) conversion continues, new traffic patterns will be in effect throughout the system. In the east, where ORT is live, toll plaza removal at interchange locations is underway to enhance safety and allow for more natural, free-flowing traffic patterns. While each demolition is unique to its physical location, timing, and traffic, customer safety remains paramount.
In the west, where ORT goes live in 2027, the PA Turnpike is installing infrastructure, including roadside concrete pillars, roadway-spanning overhead frames – called gantries – and small concrete buildings that house each gantry’s computer equipment and generators.
“Safety is part of everything we do at the Pennsylvania Turnpike and this summer is no exception,” said PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “Whether you’re traveling for summer vacation, visiting family or simply using our roadway for day-to-day convenience, we want everyone to get back home safely.”
Pennsylvania law requires any occupant younger than 18 to buckle up when riding in a vehicle, as well as drivers and front-seat passengers. Children under age 2 must be secured in a rear-facing car seat, and children under age 4 must be restrained in an approved child safety seat. Children must ride in a booster seat until their eighth birthday.
Motorists planning a road trip with a recreational vehicle (RV) should know that motorized RVs are not recommended for the transport of children in child passenger safety seats. Car seats are designed for bench and motor vehicle seats in passenger vehicles. While RVs may meet federal safety standards, they are only required to comply with seat belt standards for front passengers, not for any rear occupants.
“Safety is always the top priority when traveling with children, especially in recreational vehicles,” said PA TIPP Central Regional Coordinator Kelly Whitaker. “We recommend that parents choose non-motorized, towable RVs whenever possible, allowing children to ride safely in the passenger vehicle pulling the RV. Alternatively, having an adult drive a second car gives families the flexibility to properly restrain children in a standard vehicle. If families opt for a motorized RV, it’s crucial to select one equipped with custom-built seating that meets federal seat belt standards. Taking these steps helps ensure that every family trip begins—and ends—safely.”
Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.
