Chester County Police On Alert For Aggressive Driving Crackdown

Authorities in Chester County will take part in a state wide crackdown on aggressive drivers.

Additional patrols, traffic enforcement zones, corridor enforcement, work zone patrols, and multi-jurisdictional patrols will just be some of the methods utilized by local authorities.

Although Phoenixville itself is not participating, several surrounding municipalities are.

The special detail is made possible through a state grant aimed at reducing the number of aggressive driving related crashes, injuries and deaths on roadways, police said. During the detail, additional officers will be deployed and dedicated to aggressive driving detection and traffic enforcement.

The initiative is Wave 2 of a statewide enforcement plan which began last October. This wave will be in effect from March 20 through April 30.

During the first four-week wave of intensified patrols last fall, there were 8,635 citations connected to aggressive driving, officials said. There were also 127 arrests made.

A total of 206 municipalities are participating in Wave 2 across the state, including 14 in Chester County:

• Downingtown
• East Brandywine
• East Whiteland
• Easttown
• Kennett Township
• North Coventry
• Tredyffrin
• Uwchlan
• West Brandywine
• West Chester
• West Goshen
• West Whiteland
• Westtown-East Goshen
• Willistown

During the crackdown, officials will focus on speeding, work zone violations, distracted driving, and keeping right while passing left, according to PennDOT.

PennDOT offers the following tips for motorists who encounter aggressive drivers:

• Get out of their way and don't challenge them.
• Stay relaxed, avoid eye contact and ignore rude gestures.
• Don't block the passing lane if you are driving slower than most of the traffic.

Patch file photo