Dunmore, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) are reminding motorists about Operation Yellow Jacket and the importance of slowing down in work zones throughout this year’s construction season.
PennDOT and PSP held a press event today in Lackawanna County to discuss Operation Yellow Jacket, why it’s important, and how it contributes to keeping work zones safe.
Troopers monitor traffic in PennDOT maintenance trucks traveling within PennDOT’s designated work zones. If the trooper observes a violation, they communicate to another trooper in a marked PSP patrol unit to initiate a traffic stop.
“The partnership between the Pennsylvania State Police and PennDOT is crucial for both our employees and the traveling public. “We remind motorists to slow down and stay alert while driving and to anticipate a trooper to be present in our work zones,” said PennDOT Acting Assistant District 4 Executive for Maintenance Lonell Tomaine. “We also urge all motorists to familiarize themselves with the Paul Miller Law, which takes effect on June 5th, and to refrain from using their devices while driving.”
“In 2024, 1,250 crashes occurred in work zones in Pennsylvania – resulting in 22 fatalities and 550 serious injuries,” said Trooper First Class Bob Urban, Troop R Dunmore. “We encourage all drivers approaching an active work zone to slow down, stay alert, and be prepared for the unexpected. With continued collaboration, we aim to enhance safety for both workers and the traveling public in these areas.”
Operation Yellow Jacket allows PennDOT and PSP to work together to keep Pennsylvania highways safe for all motorists and maintenance crews.
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 X alerts.
Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District4.
Information about infrastructure in District 4, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D4Results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.
Find PennDOT news on X, Facebook, and Instagram.
MEDIA CONTACTS: Jessica Ruddy, jeruddy@pa.gov, 570-963-4044 or Elizabeth Fabri, efabri@pa.gov, 570-963-3502
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