Category: Announcements || By Submitted Report

State and local police and the state Department of Transportation have announced a major crackdown on aggressive driving that targets the Route 30 corridor.

The five-day-long Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic, or "HEAT" initiative will be conducted throughout the state, including Allegheny and Westmoreland counties. Through July 19, police will be cracking down on offensives such as speeding, tailgating and running red lights.

As part of the enforcement, state police will conduct aerial surveillance using helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to help officers pinpoint aggressive drivers. Police across the state will also be looking for those driving aggressively through work zones and may use Operation Yellow Jacket to crack down on speeders. Local police will aid in the enforcement effort on Route 30 and on roadways connecting to the road.

The U.S. 30 corridor, which is roughly 350 miles long, has seen nearly 9,800 crashes and 96 fatalities since 2008. In Allegheny, Beaver and Westmoreland counties, along U.S. 30, there have been 2,889 reported crashes, resulting in 25 fatalities since 2008.

"Even one fatality is one too many," said Joe Szczur, PennDOT District 12 executive. "We support what the police are doing to crack down on aggressive drivers and hope that through their efforts, drivers will come to realize that speeding and neglecting to wear a seat belt is dangerous, not only during this five-day enforcement period, but all year long."

The statewide enforcement wave continues until Aug. 15 and is funded by part of PennDOT's $2.5 million investment of federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.