Drivers on U.S. 1 through Chester County will face stepped-up police patrols starting Friday, as PennDOT and more than 80 law enforcement agencies launch a coordinated crackdown on aggressive driving across the Philadelphia region.

The operation covers U.S. 1 in Chester, Bucks, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, PennDOT announced Wednesday. The Pennsylvania State Police, the Philadelphia Police Department and dozens of local departments are participating. The statewide campaign runs through Sunday, Aug. 16.

Last year, the five-county region recorded 2,190 aggressive driving crashes, killing 37 people and causing 114 suspected serious injuries, according to PennDOT. The agency defines an aggressive driving crash as one involving at least two dangerous behaviors, such as speeding, tailgating, running stop signs or red lights and careless turning or passing.

Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Thomas Falcon said troopers will zero in on high-risk behavior. "Troopers will focus on drivers who are speeding, tailgating, failing to use turn signals and engaging in distracted driving," Falcon said.

Officers will use saturation patrols, speed enforcement details, traffic enforcement zones and multi-jurisdictional operations to identify violators, according to PennDOT. The campaign also targets heavy-truck violations, pedestrian safety and red-light running. Officers will cite drivers observed following too closely, changing lanes carelessly, or driving too fast for conditions.

It is unclear whether West Chester Borough, West Goshen, or East Goshen police are among the participating agencies. PennDOT's announcement did not list individual departments.

PennDOT District 6 Executive Din Abazi, who oversees transportation across the five-county region including Chester County, urged motorists to slow down, buckle up, and avoid distractions.

Residents who encounter an aggressive driver should avoid engaging, move out of the way when safe and call local police or the Pennsylvania State Police non-emergency line from a safe location.