IN Millcreek Spring 2020 | Page 17

BUCKLE UP & AGGRESSIVE DRIVING ENFORCEMENT GRANTS Multiple times per year, the Millcreek Police participate in state funded traffic enforcement initiatives, with the goal of reducing aggressive driving behavior, crashes, and injuries on Township roadways. PA STATEWIDE STATISTICS 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 TOTAL Speeding Fatalities 190 177 191 172 187 917 Aggressive Driving Fatalities 134 119 128 124 129 634 Distracted Driving Fatalities 55 66 69 63 65 318 Crash informatIon obtained from PCIT (https://crashlnfo.penndot.gov) n Aggressive driving behaviors include speeding, tailgating and running red lights. n Over the past 10 years, more than 12,000 people died in crashes in Pennsylvania. During that same time period, speeding fatalities peaked in 2010 with 284 fatalities. n Fatalities increased to 1,190 from the record low of 1,137 in 2017. Last year was the third-lowest number of highway fatalities recorded and overall fatalities continue to trend downward. n Speed fatalities increased from 172 in 2017 to 187 in 2018. n Motorists are reminded to buckle up. Police will watch for motorists violating the state’s seat belt laws. Unbuckled fatalities increased from 378 in 2017 to 398 in 2018. n The state’s primary seat belt law requires drivers or passengers under 18 years old to wear a seat belt. The state’s secondary seat belt law requires drivers and front-seat passengers 18 or older to wear their seat belt. n Any child under 2 years old must be securely fastened in a rear-facing child passenger restraint system, to be used until the child outgrows the maximum weight and height limits designated by the manufacturer. n Any child from 2 years to age 4 years is required to be in an appropriate child safety seat. n Any child from age 4 years to 8 years is required to be in a properly fitted child booster seat and seat belt. (Both of these with respect to weight/height as designated by the manufacturer.) n The extra enforcement is a part of the Pennsylvania Aggressive Driving Enforcement and Education Program and is funded by part of PennDOT’s investment of federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration recommends that children age 12 and younger ride buckled up in a rear vehicle seat. · Young children should ride in a rear vehicle seat in car seats / booster seats approved for their height, weight, physical development, and behavioral needs. · Infants in rear-facing child safety seats should NEVER ride in the front seat of a vehicle with an active passenger-side front air bag. MILLCREEK ❘ SPRING 2020 15