Pennsylvania State Police plan heightened enforcement for Fourth of July holiday weekend

Troopers will especially be targeting drivers under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Local Pennsylvania State Police are planning to heighten enforcement of traffic violations for the Fourth of July holiday weekend, according to a news release.

Patrols from Troop M, which covers Bucks, Lehigh and Northampton counties, will focus on violations of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding, reckless driving and seat belt or child safety seat violations, the release says.

The designated Fourth of July holiday travel period begins 12:01 a.m. Wednesday and extends through midnight Sunday.

During that period last year, troopers from Troop M investigated a total of 52 car crashes -- four of which were alcohol related -- that resulted in 16 injuries requiring treatment, according to the release. No deaths were reported.

In all, troopers issued 960 traffic citations, nearly half of them for speeding on highways, the release says.