The Pennsylvania State Police Troop M – Bethlehem have announced the official Christmas and New Year’s Holiday Enforcement period. The Christmas Holiday enforcement period commences at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, and concludes at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, December 28, 2025. The New Year’s Holiday Enforcement period commences at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and concludes at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 4, 2026.

This safety initiative P.A.D.E.E.P (Pennsylvania Aggressive Driving Enforcement Education Program) targets drivers who aggressively operate their motor vehicle in a manner which is dangerous to members of the public, which include speeding, seat belt violations and child seat belt infractions. Troopers will also be concentrating their efforts on distracting drivers who violate:

• Title 75 § 1621 Texting While Driving

• Title 75 § 1622 Handheld Mobile Telephone

• Title 75 § 3314 Prohibiting Use of Hearing Impairment Devices

• Title 75 § 3316 Prohibiting Text-Based Communications

• Title 75 § 3714 Careless Driving

• Title 75 § 3736 Reckless Driving

In addition, S.T.E.A.D.D. (Selective Traffic Enforcement Against Drunk Drivers) and D.R.E. (Drug Recognition Expert) Troopers will specifically focus on apprehending motorist who operate their motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

During the Christmas Holiday Traffic Enforcement Period of 2024, Troop M (Lehigh County, Northampton County and Bucks County) Troopers investigated a total of 51 crashes and made 11 Driving Under the Influence arrests. During the New Year’s Holiday Traffic Enforcement Period of 2024 – 2025, Troop M Troopers investigated a total of 31 crashes and made 14 Driving Under the Influence arrests:

Crash Data – Christmas

Enforcement Data - Christmas

Crash Data – New Years

Enforcement Data – New Years

Motorists are reminded of the mandates of Title 75 Section 3733, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police Officer, which stipulates that any driver of a motor vehicle who willfully fails or refuses to bring their vehicle to a stop, or who otherwise flees or attempts to elude a pursuing police officer,

commits an offense, graded up to a Felony of the 3rd Degree, which carries a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, and restitution for damages and/or injuries sustained as a result of the pursuit.

December Checkpoint Results

On Friday, December 12, 2025, through Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 10:00 pm until 3:00 am, due to weather conditions, Troopers conducted a roving DUI patrol in the area of I-78, State Route 33 and State Route 22, which resulted in the following:

• 3 Driving Under the Influence (DUI) Arrests

• 28 Traffic Citations Issued

• 29 Traffic Warnings Issued

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Plainfield Township, Northampton County – The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) Troop M – Belfast have announced a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) checkpoint that will be conducted between the dates of Friday, December 12, 2025, and Sunday, December 14, 2025, within Northampton County.

A sobriety checkpoint is a traffic safety checkpoint wherein Troopers systematically stop vehicles at selected locations to briefly observe drivers for articulable facts and/or behaviors normally associated with alcohol or drug impairment.

The goal of a sobriety checkpoint is to reduce the number of alcohol and drug related fatal and serious crashes, and to reduce the number of DUI drivers on Pennsylvania’s highways.

The Pennsylvania State Police is committed to maintaining a safe environment for the motoring public. This sobriety checkpoint is intended to achieve this goal.

Motorists are reminded of the mandates of Title 75 Section 3733, Fleeing or Attempting to Elude Police Officer, which stipulates that any driver of a motor vehicle who willfully fails or refuses to bring their vehicle to a stop, or who otherwise flees or attempts to elude a pursuing police officer, commits an offense, graded up to a Felony of the 3rd Degree, which carries a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison, a $15,000 fine, and restitution for damages and/or injuries sustained as a result of the pursuit.

For more information on the Pennsylvania State Police, visit psp.pa.gov.