Pennsylvania - The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) has released a statement on the dangers of aggressive driving, and what PA drivers can do to stay safe.

"Safety is a major focus at PennDOT, not just when we design our bridges and roadways, but also when we think about the drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians who use them," said Brian McNulty, a PennDOT District 1 Executive in their press release. "Aggressive driving is a preventable safety hazard, and we are proud to partner with area police to encourage a decrease in that behavior."

During the course of 2020, aggressive driving played a part in 304 crashes in the counties that make up District 1: Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties.

This number of aggressive driving related crashes is a five-year high for the region.

Aggressive driving has resulted in 26 fatalities in the District 1 region since 2016.

In order to reduce the number of these incidents, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) will team up with local police departments to participate in an aggressive driving enforcement wave that will occur from July 5th to August 22nd.

"Aggressive driving behaviors are contributing factors in crashes throughout the Commonwealth," said a PSP Community Services Officer Trooper Michelle McGee-Morrison. "This initiative aims to reduce the number of aggressive-driving related crashes, injuries and deaths and brings law enforcement agencies together to promote safer driving practices."

To classify a crash as an aggressive driving related incident, PennDOT, along with the National Highway Traffic Safety Adminstration, say that tgwo of the following factors must be present:

-Making illegal U-turn
-Improper/careless turning
-Turning from wrong lane
-Proceeding w/o clearance after stop
-Running stop sign
-Running red light
-Failure to respond to other traffic control device
-Tailgating
-Sudden slowing/stopping
-Careless passing or lane change
-Passing in no passing zone
-Making improper entrance to highway
-Making improper exit from highway
-Speeding
-Driving too fast for conditions
-Driver fleeing police

Throughout the course of their increased enforcement wave, police will focus specifically on aggressive drivers who are tailgating motorists, running red lights, pedestrian safety offenses, and heavy trucks.

"The main problem our drivers experience is cars passing them and pulling right back in front of them where they can't even see their bumper," said Klapec Trucking Company Vice President Greg Lander said. "That gives the truck no time to get stopped."

If you encounter an aggressive driver on your commute, PennDOT has some advice for how to keep you and those around you safe:

-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.
-Do 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.