CLEARFIELD — The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), the Highway Safety Network (HSN) and St. Marys City Police on Friday highlighted the efforts of local law enforcement as part of the ongoing Aggressive Driving Enforcement Wave.

Aggressive driving is a leading factor in crashes and fatalities on Pennsylvania’s roadways. According to PennDOT data, there were 5,897 aggressive driving crashes in Pennsylvania last year, resulting in 106 fatalities. Aggressive driving crashes are crashes involving at least two aggressive driving behaviors in the same crash. Aggressive driving behaviors include speeding, running stop signs or red lights, passing illegally, tailgating and more.

“Speeding through the city is a topic frequently raised by our citizens when they reach out to both the police department, and city hall,” said St. Marys City Police Chief Thomas Nicklas. “Sometimes, I personally witness vehicles speeding and unnecessarily changing lanes. Drivers should be aware that operating aggressively during high-volume traffic times typically yields them little advantage. They are putting themselves and others at risk only to get stopped at the next traffic signal. Simply operating more safely is in everyone’s best interest.”

Nicklas warned that during the Aggressive Driving Enforcement Wave officers will be on the lookout for commercial motor vehicle drivers and passenger vehicle drivers engaging in aggressive behavior. He said violators will be cited.

Highway Safety Network Community Traffic Safety Project Coordinator Josh Woods offered tips for those who encounter an aggressive driver, saying, “Get out of their way, don’t challenge them. You or a passenger may call police, but if you do, pull over to a safe location. Road rage is a separate behavior, but aggressive driving can escalate into road rage or an assault if the aggressor is challenged.”

For more information on aggressive driving, visit PennDOT.pa.gov/Safety.