Pennsylvania Joins Holiday Impaired Driving Crackdown

Operation Safe Holiday pairs Pennsylvania with West Virginia and Ohio for sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols through January 1.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Drug Crime

Empty two-lane rural road curving through bare autumn woodland and farmland under overcast skies, leading toward a distant ridge. — Pennsylvania State Police and PennDOT joined West Virginia and Ohio on November 9 to launch Operation Safe Holiday, a sobriety checkpoint and patrol campaign running through January 1. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Pennsylvania State Police and PennDOT launched Operation Safe Holiday with West Virginia and Ohio on November 9, alongside the Click It or Ticket Thanksgiving enforcement mobilization. The holiday impaired driving campaign runs from November 25 through January 1, targeting drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol.

Why it matters

Police say crashes caused by alcohol or drugs are completely preventable, and the multistate effort aims to reduce impaired driving during the busy holiday travel period. Motorists are urged to choose a designated driver, a ride-share service, or public transit.

The campaign is an announced enforcement effort, with sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols scheduled through January 1. No arrests or citations have been reported yet, and the number of checkpoints and their locations were not released.

The players

Pennsylvania State Police

The state's primary law enforcement agency, responsible for highway patrol and traffic enforcement across Pennsylvania.

PennDOT

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, which oversees the state's roads, highways, and traffic safety programs.

The details

Police will conduct sobriety checkpoints, roving patrols, and regular traffic safety patrols during the holiday period to address drivers impaired by drugs or alcohol. Operation Safe Holiday also includes informational outreach promoting safer travel options.

November 9: Pennsylvania launches Operation Safe Holiday with the Click It or Ticket Thanksgiving enforcement mobilization.
November 25: The holiday impaired driving campaign begins.
November 30: The Click It or Ticket Thanksgiving mobilization ends.
January 1: The holiday impaired driving campaign and Operation Safe Holiday end.

Legal Context

Operation Safe Holiday extends the Click It or Ticket mobilization format, which pairs a defined enforcement window with public messaging, to impaired driving. Pennsylvania's participation with neighboring states reflects a regional approach to holiday traffic enforcement.

Motorists traveling in Pennsylvania during the holiday period can expect sobriety checkpoints and roving patrols through January 1. Planning a designated driver, ride-share, or public transit ride before going out reduces the risk of a stop or a crash.

The takeaway

Planning a sober ride home before holiday gatherings begin is the simplest way to avoid both a crash and a checkpoint stop. Designated drivers, ride-share apps, and public transit all remain available throughout the campaign.