ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Another joint enforcement between Pennsylvania State Police and the Allentown Police Department — in the same location as other previous ones — netted nearly as many offenders this week, police said.
Trooper Nathan Branosky, public information officer for PSP’s Troop M barracks, said the speed enforcement detail was conducted 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, on American Parkway at IronPigs Way.
The high-traffic corridor connects Center City Allentown with Pennsylvania Route 987 and U.S. Route 22, and handles a flow of traffic to and from Lehigh Valley International Airport.
“The American Parkway corridor represents enforcement challenges,” Allentown Police Chief Charles Roca said Wednesday.
Enforcement in the same area at the end of May saw the highest speed recorded on radar hit 69 mph in the 40-mph zone, Branosky said.
During Tuesday’s detail, the highest speed recorded nearly matched that, at 67 mph.
“As part of our partnership, we’re able to have PSP utilize radar to assist in holding drivers accountable that decide to speed in that area," Roca said.
"I’ve always been an advocate for municipal police departments to be authorized to use radar in speed enforcement."
Enforcement began in April
Additional results of the latest detail included:
- 27 speeding citations issued
- Two seat belt citations issued
- One driving under the influence suspended citation issued
- Five other traffic citations issued
May’s detail had 26 speeding citations issued, along with four traffic warnings issued and one driver cited for a suspended license.
That spring detail also netted one arrest for an outstanding warrant.
Overall, data shows that citations have not dropped in the area during enforcement since PSP and Allentown police began the campaign this year.
An initial detail April 17 — again, in the same area of American Parkway and IronPigs Way — began with the goal of conducting aggressive, visible enforcement resulting in increased traffic safety and reducing crashes.
Despite the high visibility enforcement, that detail resulted in 28 traffic citations and three traffic warnings issued.
Branosky said the details will continue “throughout the foreseeable future as needed, based upon the need to continue to keep the public safe from motorists who drive in an unsafe manner.”
Chief: 'Safe driving a priority'
The results of this week’s detail came the same day Allentown again highlighted its Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Project, which is focused on safety enhancements and preventing roadway deaths and serious injuries.
On its Facebook page, the city said it had gathered community feedback on key areas of concern, and consultants now are analyzing the data to incorporate suggestions into a citywide Safety Action Plan.
Visible feedback on the city website indicated numerous concerns with American Parkway, including one comment that dubbed it “American Speedway.”
Another comment suggested that the section of the roadway is “too narrow for 4 lanes at 40 mph. Opposing lanes of traffic are much too close, risking head-on collisions if drivers drift over the center line. Drivers also drive 60+ mph.”
American Parkway has been the site of numerous fatal crashes, including an 18-year-old driver killed in a collision with a tractor trailer in January 2023.
The city said it collected 231 traffic concerns, 168 safety ideas, 158 accessibility concerns and 36 bicycle concerns as part of the Safe Streets For All Project.
Speeding was a significant concern on streets throughout the city.
“APD does engage in speed enforcement operations throughout the rest of the city but does so without the use of radar,” Roca said.
“We’re grateful for the partnership with the PSP in an effort to make safe driving a priority throughout the City of Allentown."
