The Pennsylvania State Police Troop M — Bethlehem have announced the official Thanksgiving Holiday Enforcement period, which begins at 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 26, and concludes at 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 30.

This safety initiative P.A. D.E.E.P (Pennsylvania Aggressive Driving Enforcement Education Program) targets drivers who aggressively operate their motor vehicle in a manner which is dangerous to members of the public, which include speeding, seat belt violations and child seat belt infractions. Troopers will also be concentrating their efforts on distracting drivers who violate cellphone laws.

During the Thanksgiving Holiday Traffic Enforcement Period of 2024, Troop M (Lehigh County, Northampton County and Bucks County) Troopers investigated a total of 67 crashes and made 33 Driving Under the Influence arrests.

A Driving Under the Influence Checkpoint will be conducted by members of PSP Bethlehem this weekend within Lehigh County, leading up to the Thanksgiving enforcement period. A sobriety checkpoint is a traffic safety checkpoint wherein Troopers systematically stop vehicles at selected locations to briefly observe drivers for articulable facts and/or behaviors normally associated with alcohol or drug impairment.

Motorists are reminded of the mandates of Title 75 Section 3733, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police Officer, which stipulates that any driver of a motor vehicle who willfully fails or refuses to bring their vehicle to a stop, or who otherwise flees or attempts to elude a pursuing police officer, commits an offense, graded up to a Felony of the 3rd Degree, which carries a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, and restitution for damages and/or injuries sustained as a result of the pursuit.