LEBANON — Upper Valley drivers are under increased scrutiny as police intensify traffic patrols to crack down on dangerous driving.

The Lebanon Police Department announced in a Tuesday afternoon news release that high-profile patrols will target the driving behaviors most closely linked to accidents.

“Speeding, tailgating, unsafe lane changes, cell phone distractions,” and running red lights are the biggest culprits, Lebanon Police Chief Phil Roberts said by phone Wednesday. “We’re seeing some road rage and some collisions that could have been avoided with patience and good decision-making.”

Delays and congestion caused by road construction have contributed to unsafe driving this summer, Roberts said, and he’d like to see drivers rein in the risky behaviors. In addition to increasing safety for drivers, passengers, pedestrians and bicyclists, the enhanced scrutiny is timed to create safer streets for schoolchildren.

“We’re ramping up our patrol efforts to coincide with schools opening to curb some of this behavior before school starts,” Roberts said.

The 12A corridor, Route 120 and school zones will be areas of particular focus for enhanced traffic patrols.

Lebanon police stopped 48 drivers on Tuesday, according to the department’s release, resulting in the issuance of five tickets and an arrest for a “minor drug charge,” Roberts said.