State Police 'Turning Up the Heat' on Major Chester County Highway

PennDOT and the Pennsylvania State Police are running a major crackdown on aggressive and distracted driving this week along U.S Route 30 which runs through the heart of Chester County.

The crackdown is part of  a five-day Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic (HEAT) initiative on Pennsylvania’s U.S. 30 corridor from the Ohio border to the New Jersey border. The "Heat on 30" crackdown.

“Distracted drivers are also very likely to become aggressive drivers, especially by running red lights or stop signs if they aren’t paying attention,” said Lou Belmonte, Traffic Engineer of PennDOT’s Engineering District 6. “Bottom line, buckle up, drive safely and do not put yourself, your passengers and others on the road in danger. It’s just not worth the risk.”

Sobering Statistics

Accident and accident fatality rates on Route 30 are sobering. According to PennDOT:

• There have been 2,367 crashes and 7 fatalities on Route 30 in Chester and Montgomery Counties since 2008.
• Statewide there have been 9800 crashes and 96 fatalities along the entire length of Route 30 in Pennsylvania since 2008.

As part of the "Heat on 30" crackdown this week, State Police will use helicopters and fixed-wing small aircraft to look for and identify agressive drivers and drivers speeding through work zones.  Local police departments will also be part of the operation.