ERIE — In connection with an ongoing aggressive driving enforcement wave, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and its community partners remind motorists and pedestrians to share the road safely.

Since the start of the enforcement mobilization July 7, local and state law enforcement officials have been conducting roving patrols across Pennsylvania to deter aggressive driving behaviors such as speeding, red light running, tailgating or failing to yield to pedestrians. The enforcement campaign is scheduled to run through Aug. 17.

“The goal of these enforcement initiatives ultimately never changes – doing our part to help prevent crashes, injuries, and fatalities on our roadways,” said Cpl. Matthew Shollenberger of the Millcreek Township Police Department. “Our mission is to enforce our laws and make sure everyone understands what they can do to keep each other safe, regardless of their means of transportation.”

There were 5,897 crashes in Pennsylvania last year involving aggressive driving, which resulted in 3,022 injuries and 106 fatalities, according to PennDOT data.

“Aggressive driving tactics put everyone in danger, particularly vulnerable road users such as pedestrians,” said Mike Tautin, a Community Traffic Safety Project Coordinator with the Highway Safety Network. “It will take the cooperation of both motorists and pedestrians to see a reduction in the number of crashes recorded each year. Everyone can start doing their part by remembering to be predictable in your actions, whether driving or walking.”

PennDOT offers these additional safety tips for motorists and pedestrians:

•  When crossing the street at a signalized intersection, both pedestrians and motorists must obey the traffic control devices.
• When a pedestrian crosses the street in a crosswalk, the driver must yield.
• Pedestrians should always wear bright, reflective clothing to remain visible to motorists and look both ways before crossing the street.
• Pedestrians should walk against traffic so they can see vehicles approaching and make eye contact with drivers before crossing.
• Motorists should always travel at a safe speed, and slow down when approaching crosswalks or intersections.
• Motorists and pedestrians both should eliminate all distractions to always maintain awareness of their surroundings.

“It is also important for pedestrians to keep in mind they don’t always have the right-of-way when crossing the street,” said Trooper Todd Bingman, Community Services Officer for Troop E of the Pennsylvania State Police. “If the pedestrian is not crossing at an intersection and there is no crosswalk, they must yield to vehicles.”