‘Operation Yellow Jacket’ targets speeding, distracted drivers in Mifflin, Juniata county work zones
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania State Police are bringing “Operation Yellow Jacket” to work zones in Mifflin and Juniata counties to protect workers and drivers.
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During the initiative, state troopers will be inside PennDOT vehicles in active construction zones wearing hard hats and safety vests. Officials said police will be targeting drivers who are speeding, distracted or following too closely.
“Our goal is not to write tickets. Our goal is to prevent the violations that would warrant a ticket from happening in the first place,” Troop G Public Information Officer Trooper Jake Rhymestine said.
Rhymestine expressed that the state police wants drivers to know that troopers are present in work zones and are encouraging them to slow down and use caution.
Work zone guidelines in Pennsylvania
According to Pennsylvania law, drivers traveling through work zones are required to reduce their speed, turn on their headlights and follow posted speed limits and traffic patterns.
“Decreased speed limits, work zone signage, alternating traffic patterns, those all have a purpose, and they are all designed with safety in mind,” HSN Community Traffic Safety Project Coordinator Josh Woods said. “Safety is the most important goal and the biggest reason these enforcement efforts exist, not just for the highway workers, but for everyone driving through the work zones, as well.”
Distracted, aggressive driving among leading causes of work zone crashes
Distracted and aggressive driving are among the leading causes of work-zone crashes. PennDOT reported 1,393 work zone crashes in 2025, resulting in 12 deaths and 805 injuries.
One of the people killed was a highway worker, according to PennDOT.
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PennDOT’s workers’ memorial honors employees who died while improving and maintaining Pennsylvania’s transportation infrastructure. Since 1970, 93 PennDOT workers have died in the line of duty.
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