PA state police urge safe Memorial Day driving

by Damon Boughamer
Public Radio Capitol News, serving Pennsylvania

Harrisburg, Penna. (PRCN, 25 May 2007) - As the Memorial Day holiday weekend continues, state police are urging folks to drive safely right through the end of Monday night.

Eleven people died and more than 350 were injured in the more than 800 crashes that happened over the Memorial Day weekend in 2006.

State Police spokesman Jack Lewis says it's important for people to take care on the roads.

And he notes that goes beyond the usual, really obvious advice, like "buckle up" and "don't drink and drive."

"Refrain from engaging in any kind of aggressive driving behaviors. You don't want to be speeding. You don't want to be tailgating. You don't want to be making improper lane changes. Probably the best advice we can give is - put lots of room between your vehicle and the vehicle in
front of you. Many crashes occur when a vehicle slows down and is hit from behind by another vehicle," Lewis says.

Lewis notes this weekend is often deadlier than Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Year's, even though weather is rarely a factor, because people tend to speed during the summer.

The State Police issued more than 6400 speeding tickets over Memorial Day last year.