New Year's Holiday Traffic Enforcement Starts Saturday In Bucks Co.

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — The Pennsylvania State Police will be out in force in Bucks County making sure that roads and highways are safe for the New Year's holiday season.

The Pennsylvania State Police Troop M, Bethlehem, has announced its New Year's Holiday Enforcement period will begin at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday and run through 11:59 p.m. on Monday.

A safety initiative dubbed P.A.D.E.E.P (Pennsylvania Aggressive Driving Enforcement Education Program) will be targeting drivers who aggressively dangerously operate vehicles in terms of speeding, seat belt violations, and child seat belt infractions.

Troopers will also be concentrating their efforts on drivers who violate:

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

Troopers will specifically focus on apprehending motorists under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

During the New Year's Holiday Traffic Enforcement Period last year, Troop M —which covers Lehigh, Northampton, and Bucks counties —investigated a total of 33 crashes and made 30 Driving Under the Influence arrests.

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 seven years in prison, a $15,000 fine, and restitution for damages and/or injuries sustained as a result of the pursuit.