Spring enforcement results from Operation Yellow Jacket in Northeast PA

​Dunmore, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) have collaborated to highlight the spring enforcement results of Operation Yellow Jacket and to warn motorists about speeding in work zones.

PennDOT and PSP held a press event today in Lackawanna County to discuss Operation Yellow Jacket, why it's important, and how it contributes to keeping work zones safe. Troopers monitor traffic in PennDOT maintenance trucks traveling within PennDOT's designated work zones. If the trooper observes a violation, they communicate to another trooper in a marked PSP patrol unit to initiate a traffic stop. Over the last five weeks, Operation Yellow Jacket has initiated 136 traffic stops, resulting in 133 citations and 46 warnings. "PennDOT appreciates the partnership with the PSP executing Operation Yellow Jacket," said PennDOT Assistant District 4 Executive for Maintenance Jonathan Eboli. "The presence of troopers in our work zones sets an expectation that all motorists must follow the speed limit and all applicable laws." According to PennDOT data, there were 1,293 crashes in work zones last year, resulting in 14 fatalities and 51 suspect serious injuries. "Operation Yellow Jacket has been conducted for the last five weeks in Lackawanna, Wayne, Pike, and Susquehanna Countries," said PSP Troop R Dunmore Patrol Section Commander Lt. Michael Joyce. "Operation Yellow Jacket is a joint initiative between PennDOT and PSP to increase safety within work zones for construction workers and the motoring public. The operations have been run within active PennDOT staffed construction zones on interstates 81, 380, and 84 along with other local state highways. The initiative focuses on speeding, tailgating, and distracted driving behaviors of motorists." Operation Yellow Jacket allows PennDOT and PSP to work together to keep Pennsylvania highways safe for all motorists and maintenance crews. Motorists can check conditions on major roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.