Numerous police departments have issued safety reminders to the public and officers will be conducting enforcement details throughout the Times News coverage area counties as the Labor Day holiday approaches.

Officials at Troop M, Bethlehem, which covers Bucks, Lehigh and Northampton counties, have announced the official enforcement period will begin at 12:01 a.m. Friday and conclude at 11:59 p.m. Monday.

The dates are similar in detail to other troops and police networks and Troop N, which covers the counties of Columbia, Carbon, southern Luzerne and Monroe.

State police will be conducting the safety initiative Pennsylvania Aggressive Driving Enforcement Education Program, targeting 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 belt infractions.

Troopers will also be concentrating their efforts on districting drivers who violate the following statutes: texting while driving, handheld mobile telephone, prohibiting the use of hearing impaired devices, prohibiting text-based communications, careless driving and reckless driving.

In addition, troopers will focus on stopping motorists who operate their vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

During the holiday enforcement period of 2023, police in Troop M were summoned to 47 crashes in which 15 people were injured. They said four of those crashes were alcohol-related.

During the period, police made 31 DUI arrests and issued 242 speeding citations. They also cited two drivers for child passenger seat violations and 14 drivers for seat belt violations, and issued 48 warnings to drivers for occupant protection (adult and child) violations. They also issued 1,160 other traffic citations and made 22 self-initiated criminal arrests.

While statistics from 2023 in Troop N were made available, officials released a statement regarding their enforcement plan which reads: “Labor Day is fast approaching and the Pennsylvania State Police - Troop N would like to remind the public to drive safe, allow extra time to travel, and obey all laws of the Commonwealth. With more vehicles traveling on the road, troopers will be vigilantly patrolling for all traffic violations to ensure safe travel for everyone.”

When approaching an emergency vehicle on the side of the road, police remind drivers to always move over to the adjacent lane and slow down. This is a state law and referred to as the “Steer Clear” law.

When driving, maintain eyes on the road at all times and avoid distractions – including cellphones. Texting while operating a motor vehicle is illegal and a distraction.

Meanwhile, the North Central Regional DUI Enforcement Program has announced sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols began earlier this month and will continue through Sept. 3 on routes 209, 248, 443, 902, 903 and 54.

Officials of that program ask travelers if they suspect a drunken driver to call 911. To report underage drinking, call 1-888-UNDER21 (1-888-863-3721).

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said during the 2023 Labor Day holiday, there were 490 crash fatalities nationwide. Of these 490 traffic crash fatalities, 39% (190) involved a drunken driver, and a quarter (25%) involved drivers who were driving with a BAC almost twice the legal limit (0.15+ BAC). Among drivers between the ages of 18 and 34 who were killed in crashes over the Labor Day holiday in 2022, 47% of those drivers were drunk, with BACs of 0.08 or higher.

“We want our community members to understand that it’s our first priority to keep people safe, so we’re asking everyone to plan ahead if they know they’ll be out drinking,” said officer Joel Gulla, Lehighton Police Department and Carbon County Coordinator for the North Central Regional DUI Enforcement Program. “The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is an awareness effort to get the message out that drunken driving is illegal and it takes lives. Let’s make this a partnership between law enforcement and drivers: Help us protect the community and put an end to this senseless behavior.”

Drivers should be safe during this Labor Day holiday by planning ahead if they intend to drink. They shouldn’t wait until after drinking to plan how to get home. Impairment clouds a person’s judgment. Drivers should secure a designated sober driver or call a taxi or ride-share for a sober ride home.

If a driver finds they are unable to drive, they should give their keys to a sober driver so that person can get them home safely. When a friend has been drinking and is considering driving, friends should be proactive — take away the keys and help them get a sober ride home. If anyone spots a drunken driver, contact 911.

Enforcement details are also planned for the Pennsylvania Turnpike, where an estimated 2.9 million motorists are expected to be traveling.

Turnpike officials said an increased number of Geico Safety Patrol safety teams will also be present on the turnpike to assist travelers in need of help. All roadway construction and maintenance projects will be suspended through Monday at 11 p.m. to keep lanes open and minimize congestion.