Ardmore, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) joined the Lower Merion Township Police Department, the District Attorney of Montgomery County, and the Montgomery County Office of Public Health Traffic Safety Program in Ardmore today to urge everyone to practice safe driving. This reminder comes during the statewide aggressive driving enforcement wave and the Halloween season.
This collaborative initiative involves more than 80 municipal police departments from Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, in partnership with the Pennsylvania State Police. It is part of a statewide mobilization that will continue through November 9. The goal is to reduce the number of crashes, injuries, and fatalities on our local roadways, ensuring your safety while driving.
“Montgomery County is one of the most beautiful places in the Commonwealth to live, work, and spend time with family and friends. An important element of that is safety on our roads,” said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele. “PennDOT, through its police partners, is targeting aggressive and dangerous drivers, partnering with police to ticket them during the current Halloween Impaired Driving Campaign and Aggressive Driving Enforcement Wave. This effort helps keep us all safe on Montgomery County’s roadways.”
The enforcement will target the Move Over Law, school bus safety, speeding, and tailgating. Motorists demonstrating unsafe behaviors, such as driving too fast for conditions or other aggressive actions, will also be cited.
Law enforcement will utilize strategies such as traffic enforcement zones, saturation patrols, speed enforcement details, corridor enforcement, work zone enforcement, and multi-jurisdictional patrols to identify and cite aggressive drivers.
This enforcement is part of Pennsylvania’s Highway Safety Program and is funded by part of PennDOT’s investment of federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
“With the Halloween season here, the safety of our children is paramount. Enforcement of aggressive drivers is a top priority, keeping our children safe while trick-or-treating in our communities. We have zero tolerance for aggressive or intoxicated drivers. They will be cited and/or arrested and held accountable for their actions,” said Superintendent of Police for Lower Merion Township Police Department Andrew Block.
According to 2024 PennDOT crash data, there were 1,559 aggressive driving crashes, resulting in 40 fatalities and 93 suspected serious injuries in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Aggressive driving crashes involve at least two aggressive driving factors in the same crash. Factors include, but are not limited to, running stop signs or red lights, tailgating, careless turning or passing, and driving too fast for conditions.
If you encounter an aggressive driver, PennDOT offers these tips:
- Get out of their way and stay as far away as possible.
- Do not engage or challenge the driver in any way.
- Stay relaxed, avoid eye contact, and ignore rude gestures.
- Don't block the passing lane if you are driving slower than most of the traffic.
- Do not attempt to follow or pursue the vehicle.
- You or a passenger may call the police. But if you use a cell phone, pull over to a safe location. If you can, note the license plate and a description of the car.
Motorists should be extra cautious during trick-or-treat events, especially in residential neighborhoods. There will be lots of children out, who aren’t necessarily paying attention to traffic.
“Halloween is a fun night for families, but it’s also considered one of the deadliest for kids. Drivers need to slow down, stay alert, and expect the unexpected. For trick-or-treaters, simple steps like wearing something bright and reflective, using a flashlight, and looking left, right, left before crossing a crosswalk can make a big difference. If everyone does their part, we can keep the scary part fun and avoid real-life tragedies,” said Traffic Safety Program Coordinator for the Montgomery County Office of Public Health Laura Williams.
To learn more about PennDOT's highway safety efforts, visit www.penndot.pa.gov/safety.
PennDOT’s media resources web page offers social media-sized graphics for numerous transportation-related campaigns, including safety topics such as aggressive driving, speeding, distracted driving, and seat belts for organizations, community groups, or others who share safety information with their stakeholders.
Editor's Note: The following police departments in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties will participate in the current aggressive driving mobilization:
Bucks County:
Bedminster Township
Bensalem Township
Bristol Borough
Bristol Township
Buckingham Township
Doylestown Township
Falls Township
Hilltown Township
Lower Southampton Township
Middletown Township
Morrisville Borough
New Britain Township
New Hope Borough
Newtown Borough
Newtown Township
Northampton Township
Penndel Borough
Pennridge Regional
Quakertown Borough
Richland Township
Solebury Township
Tinicum Township
Upper Southampton Township
Warrington Township
Warwick Township
Chester County:
Downingtown Borough
East Pikeland Township
East Whiteland Township
North Coventry Township
Phoenixville Borough
South Chester County Regional
Tredyffrin Township
Uwchlan Township
Valley Township
West Brandywine Township
West Chester Borough
West Goshen Township
Westtown-East Goshen Township
West Whiteland Township
Willistown Township
Delaware County:
Aston Township
Chester City
Chester Township
Eddystone Borough
Glenolden Borough
Haverford Township
Marple Township
Newtown Township
Radnor Township
Ridley Township
Sharon Hill Borough
Springfield Township
Upland Borough
Upper Darby Township
Upper Providence Township
Montgomery County:
Abington Township
Bridgeport Borough
Cheltenham Township
Collegeville Borough
Conshohocken Borough
Douglas Township
East Norriton Township
Franconia Township
Hatfield Township
Jenkintown Borough
Limerick Township
Lower Frederick Township
Lower Gwynedd Township
Lower Merion Township
Lower Moreland Township
Lower Pottsgrove Township
Lower Providence Township
Lower Salford Township
Marlborough Township
Montgomery Township
New Hanover Township
Norristown Borough
Plymouth Township
Pottstown Borough
Springfield Township
Towamencin Township
Upper Dublin Township
Upper Gwynedd Township
Upper Merion Township
Upper Moreland Township
Upper Pottsgrove Township
Upper Providence Township
West Norriton Township
Whitpain Township
Philadelphia County:
City of Philadelphia
MEDIA CONTACT: Krys Johnson, krysjohnso@pa.gov
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