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  • Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers: Operation Orange Squeeze on Pennsylvania Turnpike

    Operation Orange Squeeze has begun along the Pennsylvania Turnpike as Pennsylvania State Police make the safety of their construction workers and turnpike work crews a top priority. The safety initiative was launched earlier this month in Philadelphia and its surrounding counties, and will focus on apprehending drivers speeding through construction zones. State police officers will be stationed in construction vehicles and turnpike dump trucks, and will use radar guns to track motorists traveling 10 or more miles per hour over the work zone speed limit. Those drivers face fines of up to $200, five points on their license, and a possible 15 day license suspension.

    Sadly, thirty construction workers have died over the years while working on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, many leaving an indelible mark. In June, 2014, Pennsylvania Turnpike employee, Bill McGuigan, was killed by a motorist speeding through a work zone in Chester County. His death was a tragic loss for his wife, two daughters, and all of his colleagues.   Earlier in October of 2012, Pennsylvania Turnpike worker, Michael San Felice, was killed when struck by a vehicle as he worked along the side of the road in Montgomery County.

    More than Zero Deaths is too Many

    Determined to keep all turnpike and construction workers safe, the Operation Orange Squeeze campaign focuses on the motto of more than zero deaths being too many, and urges drivers to take the safe driving pledge on their website. In video and written transcript, the widow of Bill McGuigan pleads with drivers to put their phones down, turn on their headlights, and obey speed limits along the roadways, especially in work zones.

    In frank and vivid detail, the Operation Orange Squeeze website lays out the startling facts about the consequences to workers and motorists when drivers fail to obey these laws. In one screen, the picture of a construction worker carries the caption: “If you hit me at 45 miles per hour, my bones will break. At 65, I will die.” The child of a worker killed on the Turnpike is pictured on another slide with the caption: “Everyone slowed down to see my dad dying, but no one slowed down to prevent it.”

    The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission along with the Pennsylvania State Police has issued a strong warning to all motorists traveling along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Anytime, anywhere, when you least expect it, motorists speeding through construction and work zones will be apprehended and swiftly prosecuted. You can read more details on their website: https://operationorangesqueeze.com

    Philadelphia Personal Injury Law Firm, Galfand Berger, Applauds this Proactive Safety Initiative Program and Believes it is Long Overdue

    For more than 30 years, Galfand Berger Senior Partner, Richard Jurewicz, has represented countless turnpike workers in Pennsylvania from Trevose, Plymouth meeting, Devault and Bowmanville Maintenance Sheds who have been the victims of senseless accidents where they have been seriously injured, and in some cases, have become permanently disabled, because of irresponsible drivers who fail to pay attention while they are driving on the turnpike.

    Because of their inattentive and careless driving, these motorists are not only jeopardizing the safety of fellow patron turnpike drivers who share the road with them, but the turnpike maintenance personnel that are on the turnpike roadways making repairs and maintaining the roadways. There is no reason why the turnpike workers should be forced to risk their lives and be exposed to avoidable accidents if drivers were careful and aware of the early warning signage cautioning approaching traffic of roadwork in the area.   On behalf of our turnpike friends and clients, our personal injury lawyers in Philadelphia at Galfand Berger will continue to hold civilly responsible, to the full extent permitted by law, those motorists whose behavior amounts to irresponsible driving.

    Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP Protect and Defend the Rights of Injured Workers

    Philadelphia personal injury lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP have been protecting and defending the rights of injured workers for over 65 years. The firm has a long history of successful verdicts and settlements for those injured in automobile accidents and in work zones, claiming millions of dollars in compensation for their clients. If you or someone you know has been injured by the negligence or failure of another to abide by the law, the experienced team of Philadelphia Injury lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP can help you claim the justice and compensation you deserve.

    Call us at 1-800-222-8792, or complete our online contact form to schedule a consultation today. With offices conveniently located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, and Reading, we serve clients throughout Pennsylvania, including Harrisburg and Allentown, as well as southern New Jersey.

    by Richard Jurewicz, Esq.

    ALLENTOWN/BETHLEHEM
    1-800-222-USWA (8792)

    LANCASTER
    717-824-3376

    READING
    610-376-1696