Hitting the road for Labor Day weekend? Pennsylvania State Police will be, too.

Pennsylvania State Police are planning targeted enforcement over the Labor Day holiday weekend.

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission projects over 2.7 million people will be on their roadway during the Labor Day holiday. This is the five-day period beginning Aug. 31 and ending Sept. 4. The figure represents a 2.5% increase in holiday traffic during the same travel period last year.

Friday is expected to be the busiest travel day of the weekend, according to state police.

As a result, Troop M, covering the Lehigh Valley and Bucks County, will be increasing patrols as part of its Pennsylvania Aggressive Driving Enforcement Education Program. The program will run from early Friday morning to just before midnight Monday.

The program focuses on speeding, seat belt violations and child seat belt infractions, but troopers also will be looking for phone violations. These include texting while driving; drivers using handheld cellphones; wearing headphones or earbuds; careless driving; and reckless driving.

Additionally, Selected Traffic Enforcement Against Drunk Drivers and Drug Recognition Expert troopers will be targeting drivers under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. State police in Lehighton are conducting a sobriety checkpoint — from some point between midnight Friday to just before midnight Monday — in Carbon and Monroe counties.

Pennsylvania State Police Troop T, covering multiple stations, including in the King of Prussia and Pocono areas, are suspending all scheduled construction projects from now through 11 p.m. Monday. All lanes will be open to accommodate the expected increase in traffic.

Last year during the Labor Day weekend, Troop M investigated 45 crashes and made 29 DUI arrests. Troop T reported a 40% increase in crashes over last year’s holiday weekend compared to the year before.

Motorists also should slow down and move over when possible if they see any police or emergency vehicle on the side of the road, under the “Steer Clear” or “Move Over” law.

Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com.