• 06
  • January
    2012

Last week we wrote that Pennsylvania drivers needed to be especially careful over the New Year's holiday weekend. Law enforcement agencies were out in full force and ready to make DUI arrests and issue citations for any number of other traffic violations.

Now that the increased enforcement period is over, law enforcement statistics are starting to come in. How did drivers fare this year? Not very well, it would seem. According to a press release from the Pennsylvania State Police Department, state troopers made 285 DUI arrests during a four-day period running from Dec. 30 through Jan. 2.

Commissioner Frank Noonan said: "Although the number of fatalities decreased by one compared to last year's holiday driving period, the number of child safety seat violations and DUI arrests increased."

According to the press release, there were 552 crashes during the enforcement period that were investigated by state police. The crashes resulted in 10 fatalities and 172 injuries, and 79 car accidents were said to be alcohol-related.

But police weren't just looking for drunk drivers. Statistics for other traffic violations included:

  • 3,408 citations for speeding
  • 379 citations for failure to wear seatbelts
  • 51 child-safety-seat violations

The New Year's holiday weekend is a dangerous time for Pennsylvania drivers, both physically and legally. But it is important to remember that during a period of increased enforcement, it is likely that busy law enforcement officers may have been over zealous in stopping and charging certain drivers without having sufficient probable cause.

Some drivers charged with DUI may have been victims of an illegal stop and may be able to successfully challenge the charges against them. In these cases, it is especially important to have a qualified criminal defense attorney in your corner to make sure that you understand your rights and options.

Source: The Sacramento Bee, "Ten Killed in New Year's Holiday Crashes Investigated by Pennsylvania State Police," press release, Jan. 3, 2012