Latest news with #SaxonDaugherty
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
PennDOT, law enforcement stress driver vigilance at annual Safety Day
PennDOT held its annual Safety Day event, emphasizing the importance of road safety as peak travel season begins across the country. The event, held at the North East Welcome Center along Interstate 90, featured 91 crosses to honor PennDOT workers who have died in the line of duty since 1970. These crosses serve as a somber reminder of the risks faced by road workers and the importance of driver vigilance. WQLN president and CEO speaks on potential loss of federal funds 'It can definitely be tough because of the constant advancement of technology and with what cars are having now,' said Saxon Daugherty, Safety Press Officer for PennDOT District 1. 'We try to stay on top of that and evolve with the times and make sure we're applying what drivers are seeing out on the road to what we're talking about in these educational opportunities.' Safety partners at the event advocated for awareness of the dangers of impaired and distracted driving, work zone safety, litter, human trafficking, the Move Over Law, and pedestrian safety. Simulators were available to demonstrate the risks of impaired driving. A significant focus was placed on Paul Miller's Law, which prohibits the use of hand-held devices like cell phones while driving. The law is currently in a one-year warning period to raise awareness before full enforcement begins. Two-week dredging process begins on Erie's East Avenue Boat Launch Trooper Todd Bingman of the Pennsylvania State Police emphasized the importance of the warning period, stating, 'The big point of the one-year of warnings only is to get the word out and to really let people know that this law is in effect and is going to be taken seriously.' Officials at the event stressed the importance of road safety and encouraged drivers to think of their loved ones when behind the wheel, reinforcing that everyone deserves to return home safely. All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by WJET/WFXP. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by WJET/WFXP staff before being published. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Buckle up, Click it or Ticket campaign kicking off next week
Wearing a seatbelt increases a person's chance of survival in a crash by up to 60%. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is reminding travelers to buckle up when getting on the roads for their Click it or Ticket campaign. PennDOT's message there is no excuse not to buckle up and seatbelts save lives. FirstEnergy helicopter crews inspecting thousands of miles of power lines Everyone has heard the phrase 'click it or ticket.' While some drivers may dread the next few weeks, there's a reason why the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation does this campaign twice a year. 'We saw 311 fatalities last year, unbelted, in Pennsylvania and that's just simply too high. We've got to do better and the people out on the roads are the ones that can change that,' said Saxon Daugherty, safety press officer for PennDOT District 1. From May 12 through June 1, PennDOT will begin their seat belt enforcement mobilization. Officers will be out doing patrols and other enforcement activities, ensuring that people are following the seat belt law. Work to preserve two Erie culverts starting next week Pennsylvania law requires drivers and passengers 18 years and older to wear a seat belt when behind the wheel or in the front passenger seat of a vehicle. The child passenger law requires any occupant younger than 18 to buckle up, and children under the age of two must be secured in a rear-facing car seat. 'Not only will you have to face potential traffic citations for this, if you're involved in a crash, your chances of surviving are ultimately going to be lowered,' Daugherty explained. At least 50% of enforcement will take place during nighttime hours in traffic enforcement zones. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Erie Police Department will also be utilizing Evolis Vision radar speed signs around the city to collect data of average speeds and time of day. 'The motorcycle unit will be able to go out and analyze the data and determine what best times to go out and enforce the speeds,' said Sergeant Tom Dunmire of the City of Erie Police Department. Doing this simple task every time can help reduce the number of fatalities seen on the roadways each year. Sergeant Dunmire, who works with the accident investigation unit, said last year's numbers for fatal crashes were very alarming. Bishop Lawrence Persico speaks on election of Pope Leo XIV 'In 2023, we only had four fatal crashes, and last year we had 11 fatal crashes with 12 deaths. A lot of these crashes are caused by DUI and excessive speed and unbelted drivers. Slow down and put on your seatbelt,' he went on to say. Depending on the offence, drivers can be fined up to $100 plus court fees. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Yahoo
PennDOT urging careful driving in work zones amid busy construction season
As construction season ramps up, PennDOT is advocating for drivers to be on the lookout for those orange and white traffic cones on the roads. And for you to be extra cautious while going through work zones. Nobody loves waiting in traffic when it slows down as you go through a work zone. But the consequences of not doing so are literally life and death. Spring is here and so is PennDOT construction season in NWPA Each year, there are estimated to be more than 1,400 work zone crashes throughout Pennsylvania. In 2024, 22 people were killed in those crashes, and many more were injured. And since 1970, 91 PennDOT employees have died in workzone-related incidents. If people obeyed work zone rules, that number could have been zero. 'As we all know, it just takes a split second for something to happen. Whether that's a piece of equipment backing out in front of you or a worker walking nearby on the side of the road. All it takes is one or two seconds there and that could cost somebody their life,' said Saxon Daugherty, safety officer for PennDOT District 1. Reflecting on the stellar career of legendary Erie DJ Mojo McKay 'We're just asking that they show extra caution, just like they were if they were the worker in the work zone, or their family members were in the work zone, we want them all to go home safely to their families at night,' he continued. When entering a work area, follow the posted speed limit, avoid any distractions, double your following distance, pay attention to all signs and flaggers, and be patient. Violations are taken seriously and even if you don't think police are around to catch you, many areas are photo-enforced. According to pennsylvania state police, if you're caught going just 11 miles per hour or more above the posted speed limit in a work zone, you'll automatically lose your license for 15 days per state law. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Fines for traffic violations are doubled for active work zones and drivers can receive up to five years in jail and additional time if someone is killed in a crash inside the zone. 'Just alone in the northwest corner, we've got 100 projects for our construction season in District 1. Multiply that across all of pennsylvania and that doesn't even include all of our maintenance workers that are out doing minor maintenance work across the summer. You're going to see a lot of work zones as you're out and about in the commonwealth. Just keep those things top of mind as you're traveling,' Daugherty went on to say. Uncertainly lingers for food banks, farmers following federal funding cuts You can look ahead to see where work zones are utilizing 511PA. Plan your route ahead of time, especially if you're unfamiliar with the area you're heading to. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Make a plan before you party, safety officials encouraging sober driving for St. Patrick's Day weekend
The green beer will be flowing early this weekend in celebration of St. Patrick's Day. But PennDOT and state police were warning revelers to plan a safe ride home before going out. State police will be out in force this weekend through St. Patrick's Day in an effort to deter impaired driving. There will be sobriety checkpoints, and those who violate the law could face high fines and loss of their license. How does your blood alcohol level affect you by percentage? 'We urge those celebrating St. Patrick's Day to embrace responsibility and commit to not driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol,' said Maggie Nunley, regional program administrator for the Pennsylvania DUI Association. It's a simple message, but according to PennDOT data, many did not heed it in 2024. Last year on St. Patrick's Day through 6 a.m. the following day, there were 53 alcohol and drug-related crashes statewide. Pennsylvania State Police and PennDOT officials again warned motorists about the dangers of driving impaired ahead of one of the biggest drinking days of the year. 'Unfortunately, in 2023 the entire calendar year in PA we did lose 429 people to impaired driving crashes and 27 of those fatalities happened in the Northwest region of Pennsylvania,' said Saxon Daugherty, District 1 safety press officer for PennDOT. Erie police increasing presence for St. Patrick's Day weekend As a level two trauma center, doctors at UPMC Hamot's doctors witness firsthand the devastating impacts of drunk driving. 'A lot of the injuries that we see can result in severe traumatic brain injuries, paralysis,' said Shelley Reynolds-Hill M.D., a trauma Surgeon at UPMC Hamot. 'Some of these injuries which you can imagine require months if not years of rehab, long-term, lifelong therapy.' State troopers will be out in force this weekend through St. Patrick's Day in an effort to deter impaired driving. There will checkpoints, and those who violate the law could face high fines and license suspension. 'Our efforts to enforce Pennsylvania's DUI laws are not to simply issue citations. They are to save lives,' said Trooper Todd Bingman, PSP Troop E community services officer. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now For those who think sticking to a local pub will keep them safe, keep in mind that most DUI crashes occur between just two and five miles from home. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
PennDOT reminds motorists to clear ice, snow off cars to avoid unnecessary dangers
Not only is clearing your car of snow and ice important for safe driving — it's the law. PennDOT is reminding drivers that before they attempt to go anywhere, their car must be completely cleared. This includes everything from the hood, roof, trunk and mirrors. PennDOT restores speed limits on most NWPA interstates Not doing so can be a danger to other people. Chunks of snow and ice can become projectiles and hit other motorists on the road. Drivers can be fined $50 per offense and that can go up to $1,500 if the snow on your vehicle causes a crash and results in serious bodily injury to someone else. RV & Outdoor Adventure Expo makes return to Bayfront Convention Center 'A lot of people say 'Well this will never happen to me. The odds are in my favor.' Really, it can happen to anybody,' said Saxon Daugherty, safety press officer for PennDOT District 1. 'There's people that utilize windshield blankets like a heated blanket for your windshield. You can also spray some solution on there that will prevent the ice from sticking to your windshield. Most commonly you're going to see just the ice scraper with the brush and that tends to be the quickest most effective way to do it. Just give yourself some extra time in the morning.' Daugherty said not to forget to wear a seatbelt and it's always good to have an emergency preparedness kit in your car as well. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
