The South Heidelberg Police Department announced the results of a series of high-visibility traffic enforcement initiatives conducted between March 18 and May 11 across several municipalities in western Berks County.
According to police, the enforcement efforts focused on improving roadway safety and deterring dangerous driving behaviors through targeted traffic details funded as part of Pennsylvania’s Highway Safety Program.
During one initiative, officers conducted traffic enforcement at several locations, including Lincoln Drive at Alpha in South Heidelberg Township, Penn Avenue at Werner Street in Wernersville Borough, Penn Avenue at Bernville Road in Robesonia Borough, Fritztown Road in South Heidelberg Township, and East High Street at Conrad Weiser Parkway in Heidelberg Township.
Police reported issuing citations at multiple locations, including seven citations during seven contacts at Lincoln Drive and Alpha, seven citations during five contacts on Fritztown Road, and 20 citations during 18 contacts in the 1000 block of Fritztown Road.
A DUI roving patrol detail was also conducted April 20 between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. along Penn Avenue at North Church Street in Wernersville Borough. During that initiative, officers conducted 11 vehicle stops for various traffic violations and issued 10 citations.
On May 11, the South Heidelberg Police Department partnered with the Pennsylvania State Police for an occupant protection enforcement initiative along Bernville Road in Heidelberg Township as part of Pennsylvania’s “border to border” seat belt enforcement campaign.
Police said the initiative resulted in 10 speeding citations, including one driver cited for traveling 92 mph in a posted 45 mph zone. Additional citations included three seat belt violations, one citation for driving with a suspended license, two expired registration violations, one expired inspection violation, and one citation for operating a vehicle without the proper endorsement for that class of vehicle.
According to police, the enforcement initiatives were funded through grants designated for aggressive driving enforcement using federal funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and PennDOT. Officials said the funding allows departments to dedicate targeted enforcement hours without impacting local municipal budgets.
