Police have resumed the controversial "Smooth Operator" traffic law enforcement campaign that targets speeding and other aggressive driving.

State police and officers from 33 local police departments in Allegheny, Lawrence and Beaver counties are participating in the federally funded program, which started Monday and is to run through July 6.

Some critics have said the program often results in citing drivers who are barely exceeding the speed limit in order to achieve results that are tantamount to an illegal quota system, rather than cracking down on major violators that pose a bigger safety risk on highways.

This year, in southwestern Pennsylvania, the program has resulted in 8,088 speeding citations, 57 driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol arrests, 957 seat belt violations, 5,873 other citations like failing to yield the right of way and 159 other arrests.

First Published: June 25, 2008, 4:00 a.m.