(File Photo of the PennDOT logo)

Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News

(Harrisburg, PA) According to a release from the PennDOT Communications Office in Harrisburg yesterday, PennDOT, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, (PA Turnpike) the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), and the Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) came together yesterday to remind drivers to wear their seat belts, drive sober, and eliminate distractions behind the wheel. Throughout an upcoming period known as Operation Safe Holiday which goes until November 30th, law enforcement will conduct some sobriety checkpoints, roving patrols, and regular traffic safety patrols to crack down on drivers that are impaired by drugs or alcohol. Pennsylvania law makes a requirement for any occupant younger than 18 to buckle their seatbelt when riding in a vehicle. However, you should always buckle your seatbelt when entering a car. Paul Miller’s Law, which is a law that prohibits people using hand-held devices while driving even at a red light, is now in effect in Pennsylvania. This law reminds Pennsylvanians to not use their phones or other devices when their vehicle is in motion. According to that same release from the PennDOT communications office, here is some tips that the aforementioned agencies that got together recently provide for drivers that are involved in crashes:

• Move your vehicle as far as possible from the travel lanes if it’s able to be driven.
• Call 911 right away if your vehicle or another involved vehicle cannot be driven due to damage, or if one of the involved parties is injured.
• Remain inside the vehicle with your seat belt on and hazard lights activated if your vehicle is disabled in the lane of travel.
• If it’s not safe to remain inside your vehicle, assess the situation and get yourself and passengers to a place of safety such as behind a barrier or guiderail. Do so as quickly as possible and DO NOT remain in the travel lanes or near your vehicle.
• Exchange information with the other driver(s). Be sure to obtain the name, insurance company name, and phone number of each of the other drivers. If you cannot obtain this information, write down the license plate number of each of the other drivers.

• Other important information is as follows:
  • The year, make, and model of each of the other cars.
  • If there are witnesses, their names and contact information.
  • If an officer comes to the scene, their name, badge number, police report number, and contact information.
• After the crash, write down the date, time, and location. If possible, take photos. Write down what happened.