PA organizations team up to promote safe driving this summer

(WJET/WFXP) – Four Pennsylvania organizations are implementing an initiative this summer to promote safe travel.

The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, and the Pennsylvania Traffic Injury Prevention Project (PA TIPP) have come together to promote safe driving this summer.

From now until the Fourth of July weekend, PSP and local law enforcement will be conducting sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols, which will be funded through PennDOT’s budget from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

According to PennDOT’s data, in the summer of 2024, from June through August, PennDOT and PSP saw 2,238 crashes involving impaired driving. Of those crashes, there were 116 fatalities and 1,650 injuries.

PSP Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris reminds drivers of the importance of safe driving practices.

“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 Paris. “Drive responsibly. Always wear your seat belt, never drive under the influence, and stay alert by avoiding distractions.”

Pennsylvania also recently saw two new driving laws put into place, Paul Miller’s Law and Act 150, as a way to keep drivers safe and vigilant out on the road.

For more information about PennDOT’s driving safety efforts, click here. To learn about safety on the PA Turnpike, click here.