The state Department of Transportation District 8 recognized five police officers from York County for outstanding participation in PennDOT's Aggressive Driving Enforcement and Education Project.

The district honored the officers Wednesday morning at The Center for Traffic Safety.

The officers honored were Officer Ryan Henry, Hanover; Officer Keith Roehm, West Manchester Township; Officer Richard Morris, Spring Garden Township; Patrolman Steve Gebhart, Penn Township; and Sgt. David Smith, Carroll Township.

Aggressive driving is a hot button issue, and all 20 violations involved with it are causing accidents and fatalities on roadways, said Barb Zortman, traffic safety specialist for The Center for Traffic Safety.

Another enforcement wave to target aggressive-driving behaviors such as speeding, tailgating and running red lights is planned for July 9 through Aug. 16, PennDOT said.

Roehm said the enforcement projects remind drivers that police are out there, and sometimes that is the best way to get people to drive less aggressively.

"It is a shame when someone has to get in an accident before they get caught," said Roehm.

He advised drivers to allow extra time when traveling so they do not have to hurry while driving, and to think back to the caution they exercised as first-time drivers.

Roehm cautioned that aggressive driving incidents can quickly spur road rage.

"We have so many road rage incidents which often turn physical," Roehm said. "If you witness aggressive driving, just get the vehicle's registration and notify police. Just because someone cuts you off does not mean you have to cut them off back."

- Reach Chelsea Shank at 505-5432 or cshank@yorkdispatch.com