IN Millcreek Fall 2018 | Page 13

AGGRESSIVE DRIVING S peeding and other aggressive driving behaviors are among the leading causes of highway crashes and fatalities in Pennsylvania. However, many motorists don’t realize they are an aggressive driver. Are you an aggressive driver? • Do you speed excessively? • Do you tailgate slower vehicles? • Do you race to beat red lights or run stop signs? • Do you weave in and out of traffic? • Do you pass illegally on the right? Do you fail to yield the right of way to oncoming vehicles? AGGRESSIVE DRIVING EDUCATION AND ENFORCEMENT PROJECT To deter aggressive drivers and make P ennsylvania’s highways safer for all who use them, the Millcreek Police Department is joining other police departments across the state to conduct aggressive driving enforcement. Since the project was launched in 2006, more than 580 roadways have been targeted with additional enforcement and education. TIPS FOR WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS • 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. SEAT BELT SAFETY Wearing your seatbelt is your best defense against injury or death in the event of a crash. A seat belt increases your chances of surviving a crash by up to 60%. Despite this, far too many motorists still refuse to buckle up for a variety of reasons. The seatbelt usage rate was 84% in 2014. The trend has remained fairly steady for the past five years. Pennsylvania’s rate is among the highest among states with secondary seatbelt laws. National statistics show that for every 1 percent increase in seatbelt usage, 8-12 lives can be saved on the highways. FACT: Three out of four crashes occur within 25 miles of home. THERE’S NO EXCUSE NOT TO BUCKLE UP! MILLCREEK ❘ FALL 2018 11