Fourth Of July Weekend Crackdown Coming For Bucks Co. Drivers

BUCKS COUNTY, PA —The Fourth of July holiday weekend crackdown on traffic enforcement begins Saturday.

The Pennsylvania State Police Troop M – Bethlehem —which includes Bucks County along with Lehigh and Northampton counties —have announced their annual Fourth of July Holiday Enforcement crackdown.

• The Fourth of July Holiday Enforcement period begins at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, July 1, and ends at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, July 4.

This safety initiative P.A.D.E.E.P (Pennsylvania Aggressive Driving Enforcement Education Program) targets drivers who aggressively operate their vehicles in a manner that's dangerous to the public. Those dangers include speeding, seatbelt violations, and child seat belt infractions.

During the Independence Day Holiday Traffic Enforcement Period of 2022, Troop M (Lehigh County, Northampton County, and Bucks County) Troopers investigated a total of 43 crashes and made 41 Driving Under the Influence arrests.

There were also 328 speeding citations, 29 child seat passenger violations, 59 seat belt citations, 27 self-initiated criminal arrests, and 1,105 other traffic citations.

During this holiday period, Troopers are reminding the public of the updated statute which

allows the public to purchase and utilize Consumer grade fireworks, or “Class C’” fireworks,
however, restrictions of Class C fireworks are:

• They cannot be ignited or discharged on public or private property without the express permission of the property owner.
• They cannot be discharged from or directed at a vehicle or building.
• They cannot be directed at another person.
• They cannot be discharged within 150 feet of a building or vehicle.
• They cannot be discharged while the person is under the influence of alcohol, or a controlled substance, or another drug.

Troopers will also focus on distracting drivers who violate:

• Texting While Driving
• Handheld Mobile Telephone
• Prohibiting Use of Hearing Impairment Devices
• Prohibiting Text-Based Communications
• Careless Driving
• Reckless Driving

In addition, S.T.E.A.D.D. (Selective Traffic Enforcement Against Drunk Drivers) and D.R.E. (Drug Recognition Expert) Troopers will specifically focus on apprehending motorists operating their vehicles under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Motorists are reminded of the mandates of Title 75 Section 3733, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police Officer, which stipulates that any driver of a motor vehicle who willfully fails or refuses to bring their vehicle to a stop, or who otherwise flees or attempts to elude a pursuing police officer, commits an offense, graded up to a Felony of the 3rd Degree, which carries a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, and restitution for damages and/or injuries sustained as a result of the pursuit.