Aggressive Driving Crackdown Effort Underway Across Delaware County

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — Police departments across Delaware County have joined an aggressive driving crackdown that is underway statewide, according to PennDOT.

More than 80 municipal police departments, including Lower Merion, from the five-county Philadelphia region join the Pennsylvania State Police in the coordinated aggressive driving wave to help reduce the number of crashes, injuries, and fatalities on area roadways as part of the statewide mobilization.

The crackdown will last through April 28, authorities said.

Below are Delaware County police departments joining the effort:

• Alden Borough
• Aston Township
• Chester City
• Chester Township
• Eddystone Borough
• Glenolden Borough
• Haverford Township
• Lansdowne Borough
• Marple Township
• Newtown Township
• Radnor Township
• Ridley Township
• Sharon Hill Borough
• Springfield Township
• Upland Borough
• Upper Darby Township
• Upper Providence Township
• Yeadon Borough

The enforcement wave will focus on distracted driving, speeding, and work zone awareness. Drivers who are going too fast for conditions, following too closely, or other aggressive actions will also be cited.

Police will use traffic enforcement zones, saturation patrols, speed enforcement details, corridor enforcement, work zone enforcement, and multi-jurisdictional patrol strategies to identify and cite aggressive drivers.

Anyone who encounters an aggressive driver, according to PennDOT should:

• get out of their way and don't challenge them;
• stay relaxed, avoid eye contact, and ignore rude gestures;
• not block the passing lane if you drive slower than most traffic;
• not attempt to follow or pursue the vehicle. You or a passenger may call the police. But, if you use a cell phone, pull over to a safe location.

Preliminary 2023 crash data shows there were 1,297 aggressive driving crashes, resulting in 39 deaths and 99 suspected severe injuries in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, PennDOT said.

Aggressive driving crashes involve at least two aggressive driving factors in the same crash. Factors include, but are not limited to, running stop signs or red lights, tailgating, careless turning or passing, and driving too fast for conditions.