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Drivers reminded to buckle up and drive sober in Pa.

HARRISBURG — As Pennsylvanians look ahead to Thanksgiving and the beginning of the busy holiday travel season, representatives from safety partners Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission jointly stress the importance of seat belts and sober driving during the holidays.

November 19 marks the start of the nationwide Click It or Ticket “Operation Safe Holiday” enforcement effort, which sees law enforcement nationwide adopt a zero-tolerance approach toward traffic law violations, including driving under the influence. In addition to enforcement efforts, Operation Safe Holiday includes no-cost child passenger safety seat through Dec. 2. Troopers and other state police members certified as child passenger safety technicians will be available to assist with car seat installation and to answer any questions parents have.

Pennsylvania law mandates children under the age of four be properly restrained in an approved child safety seat. Children under two must be secured in a rear-facing car seat until the child outgrows the maximum weight and height limits designated by the manufacturer. Booster seats are required for children four to eight, to keep them protected in the event of a crash.

According to PennDOT data, during the Thanksgiving holiday travel period in 2017, there were 2,903 crashes and 21 fatalities in those crashes statewide. The Christmas and New Year’s travel periods saw 4,253 crashes and 29 fatalities.

Travelers can check up-to-the-minute traffic information statewide at or the PA511 smartphone app. Additionally, conditions on the current conditions on the Pennsylvania Turnpike can be viewed at .

The PA Turnpike Commission estimates that 3.7 million cars and trucks will travel the toll highway during the six-day Thanksgiving period. To accommodate the increase in traffic volumes, the Turnpike will suspend all scheduled maintenance and construction activities from today through Nov. 25.

The holiday seat belt and DUI enforcement are funded by part of PennDOT’s statewide distribution of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration enforcement monies this federal fiscal year. For more information on PennDOT’s highway safety efforts visit, www.penndot.gov/safety.

The public can join the discussion using the hashtag #PASafeHoliday.

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