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Increasing safety is everyone's business.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) held a press event recently in Montgomery County to highlight the deployment of "Operation Yellow Jacket" in highway work zones across southeast Pennsylvania and warn motorists about speeding in construction zones.
"Operation Yellow Jacket" is a collaborative effort between PennDOT and PSP to enhance safety in work zones for highway workers and motorists. As part of this operation, troopers monitor traffic from within PennDOT maintenance vehicles while wearing PennDOT-issued hard hats and vests. They also enforce regulations against speeding, tailgating, and driving while distracted. If a trooper notices a violation, they communicate with another trooper in a marked PSP patrol unit to initiate a traffic stop.
These enforcement mobilizations occur within active construction zones staffed by PennDOT on interstates and other state highways. The goal is to reduce work zone fatalities.
In 2023, Pennsylvania had 1,216 work zone crashes, leading to 22 fatalities. Since 1970, a total of 91 PennDOT personnel have lost their lives in the line of duty. In the Philadelphia region, 309 work zone crashes in 2023 resulted in three fatalities and 11 suspected serious injuries. Distracted and aggressive driving are the main factors in work zone crashes.
State law requires drivers to slow down, turn on their headlights, and obey all posted speed limits and traffic patterns when driving through work zones.
"Our goal is not to write citations. Our goal is to deter the violations that would warrant a citation being issued in the first place," Captain Gerard B. McShea said. "Those violations are what can cost people their lives. That is why we want the public to know that the Pennsylvania State Police have a presence in work zones, which gives them an extra incentive to slow down and use caution. It could save a life."
"PennDOT appreciates the partnership with the Pennsylvania State Police in mobilizing "Operation Yellow Jacket." The presence of troopers in our work zones sets an expectation that all motorists must follow the speed limit and all applicable laws. We encourage everyone using our roadways and traveling through our work zones to slow down and put their devices down," said PennDOT District 6 Executive Din Abazi. "Motorists are reminded to always follow the posted speed limit and directions from our crews, as there may be an undercover trooper in one of our PennDOT work zones at any time."
"Over the last few months, the Pennsylvania State Police and PennDOT have partnered with a goal of decreasing speeding motorists within an active work zone. "Operation Yellow Jacket" has increased our efforts within these work zones throughout the Philadelphia region. Speed plays a tremendous role in the reason why crashes occur," said Captain McShea. "It is our hope that all motorists passing through an active work zone pass through safely. This initiative has undoubtedly made the roadways safer for not only the PennDOT workers but also the motoring public.
Decreased speed limits, work zone signage, and alternating traffic patterns all have a purpose and are designed with safety in mind. If drivers follow those posted speed limits and obey traffic control and traffic patterns, it helps to keep everyone safe on the highway. Safety is the most important goal and the biggest reason these enforcement efforts exist, not just for the highway workers, but for everyone driving through the work zones.
Many of us take driving for granted. It's such a normal part of daily life that we tend to forget the high level of responsibility that comes with driving and having a driver's license. You're sending two tons of metal and plastic down a highway, sometimes at speeds exceeding 70 miles per hour. That much weight traveling that fast can become incredibly dangerous if you're not careful. We're asking people to remember that every time they get behind the wheel, they're taking into their hands not just their own life but the lives of everyone in their vehicle and the lives of everyone on the road around them, including people within these work zones. Getting to your destination five minutes sooner or checking a text isn't worth it."
For more information on PennDOT's highway safety efforts, visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov/safety.
Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X.
For a complete list of construction projects impacting state-owned highways in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, visit the District 6 Traffic Bulletin.
Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District6.
Information about infrastructure in District 6, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D6Results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.
