Pennsylvania officials have launched Operation Safe Holiday, a campaign aimed at reducing impaired driving and promoting the use of seat belts during the holiday travel season, running through Jan. 1. Thanksgiving is among the busiest travel holidays, with AAA predicting a record-high of nearly 82 million travelers. “These enforcement efforts are not about tickets, they are about saving lives,” said PennDOT Executive Deputy Secretary Larry Shifflet. “Before hitting the road this holiday season, make a plan to get home safely! Designate a sober driver or plan to take a ride share. Put your phone down and always buckle up. Wearing your seat belt is your best defense against injury or death in the event of a crash.” Pennsylvania law mandates that all occupants must wear seat belts, children under two must be in a rear-facing car seat, and those under four must be in an approved child safety seat. Throughout Operation Safe Holiday, law enforcement will conduct sobriety checkpoints, roving patrols, and regular traffic safety patrols to target drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol. “The Pennsylvania State Police is committed to ensuring the safety of everyone traveling on the highways and secondary roads of our Commonwealth,” said PSP Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris. “We have zero tolerance for impaired driving. Always wear your seat belt, drive sober, and eliminate distractions behind the wheel.” PennDOT data reveal that during the 2024 holiday travel period, there were 857 alcohol-related crashes, resulting in 18 deaths and 542 suspected serious injuries. Additionally, there were 307 drug-related crashes, resulting in 13 deaths and 267 suspected serious injuries. Pennsylvania’s hands-free law, known as Paul Miller’s Law, prohibits the use of hand-held devices while driving, even during temporary stops. Drivers can still use phones hands-free for calls, GPS, and music. “Safety is the driving force of our operations, which is why we are proud to have approximately 600 maintenance colleagues working across the system to support customers,” said PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “The holidays are an exciting time – but getting to your family and friends safely is what matters most. That begins with responsible driving. Avoid distractions, stay vigilant and prepare for traffic.” The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission anticipates approximately 3.4 million motorists traveling the turnpike during the six-day Thanksgiving holiday period.
Pennsylvania officials have launched Operation Safe Holiday, a campaign aimed at reducing impaired driving and promoting the use of seat belts during the holiday travel season, running through Jan. 1.
Thanksgiving is among the busiest travel holidays, with AAA predicting a record-high of nearly 82 million travelers.
“These enforcement efforts are not about tickets, they are about saving lives,” said PennDOT Executive Deputy Secretary Larry Shifflet. “Before hitting the road this holiday season, make a plan to get home safely! Designate a sober driver or plan to take a ride share. Put your phone down and always buckle up. Wearing your seat belt is your best defense against injury or death in the event of a crash.”
Pennsylvania law mandates that all occupants must wear seat belts, children under two must be in a rear-facing car seat, and those under four must be in an approved child safety seat.
Throughout Operation Safe Holiday, law enforcement will conduct sobriety checkpoints, roving patrols, and regular traffic safety patrols to target drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol.
“The Pennsylvania State Police is committed to ensuring the safety of everyone traveling on the highways and secondary roads of our Commonwealth,” said PSP Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris. “We have zero tolerance for impaired driving. Always wear your seat belt, drive sober, and eliminate distractions behind the wheel.”
PennDOT data reveal that during the 2024 holiday travel period, there were 857 alcohol-related crashes, resulting in 18 deaths and 542 suspected serious injuries. Additionally, there were 307 drug-related crashes, resulting in 13 deaths and 267 suspected serious injuries.
Pennsylvania’s hands-free law, known as Paul Miller’s Law, prohibits the use of hand-held devices while driving, even during temporary stops. Drivers can still use phones hands-free for calls, GPS, and music.
“Safety is the driving force of our operations, which is why we are proud to have approximately 600 maintenance colleagues working across the system to support customers,” said PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “The holidays are an exciting time – but getting to your family and friends safely is what matters most. That begins with responsible driving. Avoid distractions, stay vigilant and prepare for traffic.”
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission anticipates approximately 3.4 million motorists traveling the turnpike during the six-day Thanksgiving holiday period.