Police to drivers: Slow down and buckle up
In what has become a Memorial Day holiday tradition much like hamburgers and hot dogs or flying the flag, police officers from Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio came together before the start of the summer driving season to remind drivers to slow down, not drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol and make sure passengers are buckled up.
Pennsylvania state police and AAA East Central hosted the annual Combined Accident Reduction Effort Wednesday at the Claysville rest area on Interstate 70 eastbound in Donegal Township.
Capt. Joseph Ruggery, who recently was named commanding officer of Troop B-Washington, which is headquartered in North Bethlehem Township, said crash data will be used to identify areas where aggressive driving is a factor, and police will increase enforcement there. Police also are seeing a sharp increase in the number of drivers under the influence of narcotics and heroin, the captain said.
“We have been making positive strides in reducing traffic crashes,” Ruggery said.
Troopers also will be making sure drivers and passengers are properly restrained under the Click It or Ticket enforcement effort.
Ruggery said the use of seat belts statewide is at 84 percent, and police have a goal to increase it by at least one percent by the end of the year.
Major Josh Swindell of the Ohio Highway Patrol said the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is predicting the possibility of more fatal crashes on the highways this holiday weekend because of the number of people traveling by vehicle.
AAA predicts that 39.3 million Americans will be driving 50 or more miles this weekend. That will be the highest travel volume in more than a decade. An estimated 4.15 million people will be traveling by vehicle in the AAA’s Mid-Atlantic region, which includes Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey.
The Memorial Day holiday is typically the deadliest three-day holiday weekend on the roads, said JJ Miller, AAA safety adviser.
Swindell said troopers will be looking for speeders, aggressive drivers and those who are intoxicated. The major said alcohol- and drug-related crashes are the second-leading cause of fatal wrecks in Ohio.
Sgt. David Stafford of the West Virginia State Police encouraged fellow officers to be aware of their surroundings when they are on the roads and highways.
“Make sure you are wearing your visible reflective gear so we make sure we go home safe at night, too,” Stafford said.
Safety has to be the first priority, Miller said.
“Buckle up, park your phones and keep your mind on your driving,” Miller advised. “Use your turn signals and be courteous to other drivers, especially in construction zones.
“And remember, these officers are risking their lives to help total strangers.”