A multi-state traffic enforcement operation is being launched along a stretch of Interstate 80, in an effort to crack down on reckless driving. The initiative, named Operation Blarney Stone 2024, is a collaboration between the New Jersey State Police, New York State Police, and Pennsylvania State Police.
The goal of this operation is to reduce motor vehicle crashes and remove impaired drivers from the road. This comes after preliminary data from PennDOT showed that aggressive driving was estimated to have caused half of the crashes across the county last year. In fact, there were 1,297 aggressive driving crashes in our five-county area in 2023 alone, resulting in 39 fatalities and 99 severe injuries.
Krys Johnson with PennDOT explained to WPVI-TV that as part of this campaign, they will use traffic enforcement zones, saturation patrols, speed enforcement details, corridor enforcement work and multi-jurisdictional patrol strategies to identify and cite aggressive drivers. The idea is to reduce the number of crashes and injuries on our roads.
"You will definitely see more enforcement as part of this program," said Johnson.
Aggressive driving can include behaviors such as following another car too closely, ignoring red lights or stop signs, careless turns or careless passing, and speeding. Any aggressive driver stopped by police during this crackdown will receive a ticket.
Drivers are advised not to attempt to follow or pursue aggressive drivers. Instead, they should pull over to a safe location and call the police if they witness reckless driving.