The Pennsylvania State Police in Troop M, based in Bethlehem, have announced the official Labor Day Enforcement period which commenced this morning and will conclude at 11:59 p.m. Monday, Sept. 4.

The safety initiative 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, including speeding, seat belt violations and child seat infractions.

Troopers will also be concentrating their efforts on distracting drivers who violate the following section of Title 75: Texting While Driving, Handheld Mobile Telephone, Prohibiting Use of Hearing Impairment Devices, Prohibiting Text-Base Communications, Careless Driving and Reckless Driving.

In addition, Selective Traffic Enforcement Against Drunk Drivers and Drug Recognition Expert, troopers will specifically focus on apprehending motorists who operate their motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

During the enforcement period in 2022, Troop M members investigated 45 crashes and made 29 DUI arrests. The crashes included: one fatal crash, one person killed, one person killed while wearing a seat belt, eight people injured, six alcohol-related crashes and one person killed in an alcohol-related crash.

In addition to the 29 DUI arrests, troopers issued 333 speeding citations, 10 child passenger seat citations, 38 seat belt citations, 35 occupant protection warnings (adult and child) and 993 other citations and made 14 self-initiated criminal arrests.

Motorists are reminded of the mandates of Title 75, Section 3733, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police, which stipulate 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 third degree, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison, a $15,000 fine and restitution for damages and/or injuries sustained as a result of the pursuit.