Pennsylvania has launched Operation Safe Holiday, a campaign aimed at ensuring road safety during the busy holiday season. The initiative began on November 10 with the "Click It or Ticket" Thanksgiving Enforcement Mobilization, which runs through November 30. The Holiday Season Impaired Driving Campaign started on November 19 and will continue until January 1.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, Pennsylvania State Police, and Pennsylvania Insurance Department are collaborating to remind drivers to wear seat belts, drive sober, and avoid distractions. During last year's holiday season, over 1,100 crashes resulted in 31 fatalities due to drug and alcohol-related incidents.
According to PennDOT, law enforcement will conduct sobriety checkpoints, roving patrols, and regular traffic safety patrols to address impaired driving. The campaign emphasizes the importance of seat belt use, noting that it is required by law for all passengers under 18, as well as drivers and front-seat passengers.
The campaign also highlights Pennsylvania’s hands-free law, which prohibits the use of hand-held devices while driving. This law, known as Paul Miller’s Law, aims to reduce distractions and improve road safety.
Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris stated, "We have zero tolerance for impaired driving. Always wear your seat belt, drive sober, and eliminate distractions behind the wheel."
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission expects approximately 3.4 million motorists to travel during the six-day Thanksgiving holiday period. Mark Compton, CEO of the PA Turnpike, emphasized the importance of responsible driving, saying, "Avoid distractions, stay vigilant, and prepare for traffic."
For more information on PennDOT’s highway safety efforts, visit their website.
THANKSGIVING TRAVEL
As Thanksgiving approaches, millions of Americans are preparing to hit the road. According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), about 81.1 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more from home during the Thanksgiving holiday period from November 25 to December 1, 2025. This marks an increase of 1.6 million travelers compared to last year, with 90% of them using cars.
In Pennsylvania, the Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and its safety partners are urging drivers to prioritize safety, especially with the increase in traffic. Maggie Nunley, a Regional Program Administrator with the Pennsylvania DUI Association, emphasized the importance of driving sober, stating, "When we make smart, safe choices, it could save a life." To combat impaired driving, law enforcement will conduct high-visibility enforcement activities, including sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols, from November 19, 2025, through January 1, 2026.
PennDOT data from the previous year shows the dangers of impaired driving, with 431 crashes resulting in seven fatalities in the Philadelphia region alone during the Thanksgiving travel period. Of these, 38 crashes were related to impaired driving.
AAA advises travelers to drive during the morning to avoid peak congestion, which is expected on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons before Thanksgiving and throughout the day on Sunday. The organization also reminds drivers to "Slow Down, Move Over" for emergency responders and stopped vehicles on the road.
For those traveling in Pennsylvania, PennDOT recommends checking conditions on major roadways through their 511PA service, which provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, and access to over 1,200 traffic cameras.
As the holiday season begins, PennDOT and AAA stress the importance of planning ahead and making safe travel choices. For more information on highway safety efforts, visit PennDOT's website.