HARRISBURG – PennDOT today announced that part of a $2.5 million statewide investment of federal funds will help municipal and state police to crack down on aggressive driving behaviors such as speeding, tailgating and running red lights. Approximately 320 municipal police departments and the Pennsylvania State Police will carry out aggressive driving enforcement activities through Nov. 13.

During this statewide enforcement wave, motorists are encouraged to maintain a safe driving distance, as tailgating is an aggressive driving behavior that can increase the likelihood or severity of a crash. Police will concentrate efforts on roadways that are known to have a high number of aggressive driving crashes.

The extra enforcement is a part of the Pennsylvania Aggressive Driving Enforcement and Education Project and is funded by PennDOT’s investment of federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

There were 5,755 aggressive-driving crashes in the state during 2010, an increase from 4,763 in 2009. Fatalities in those crashes also increased, with 168 in 2010 and 130 in 2009.

Visit www.DriveSafePA.org for more information on Pennsylvania’s traffic-safety initiatives.