Pennsylvania Turnpike Kicks Off Annual “Go Orange” Safety Campaign

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission kicked off its annual “Go Orange” awareness campaign to educate drivers about the vulnerability of highway workers. The campaign runs from May to October, encouraging drivers to slow down and pay attention in work zones, emphasizing the Turnpike’s dedication to safety, and paying tribute to those who have died in the line of duty.

The Turnpike operates more than 560 miles of roadway, which carries over 200 million motorists every year, an average of more than 500,000 per day. Despite fewer cars and fatalities on the road during the pandemic from 2019 through 2020, fatalities on Pennsylvania roadways increased by fifteen percent from 2019 to 2022.

Reckless driving in work zones is dangerous; it can be deadly for those who work to maintain and improve the Turnpike. More than 40 Turnpike workers have lost their lives due to reckless drivers. In 2023 alone, 214 crashes were reported, and the Pennsylvania State Police issued over 12,000 citations and more than 12,000 warnings in Turnpike work zones.

The consequences for reckless driving in a work zone are serious and can include:

• $200 fine
• Court costs and additional fees
• Five points on your license
• Possible jail time

Orange Is the Color of Safety

In all things transportation, orange is the color of safety. The Turnpike encourages employees and the public to wear orange on Wednesdays to support road crews and remind motorists to drive safely through work zones. Go Orange is also designed to remind motorists that work zone safety is a shared responsibility – crews and motorists working together to keep one another safe.

The campaign caught on quickly, connecting the public and highway workers, producing results. Work zone crash rates have decreased by more than 30 percent over the last five years, largely due to the campaign’s education and awareness efforts.

Turnpike officials said maintenance crews and office employees have also embraced the program. They say that not only are the lives lost remembered, but all employees recognize the need to return home to their own families every day. Employees throughout the agency donned orange and spread safety messaging through personal interactions with customers and social media without prompting.

The Turnpike’s chief executive officer said safety is the administration’s top priority and is embedded in every aspect of operations to protect its employees and those traveling on its roadways. With more drivers on the Turnpike during summer months, we want to remind drivers to slow down, stay alert, and commit to roadway safety by removing distractions and keeping their attention on driving at all times, he said.

This year’s Go Orange campaign debuted a revamped website offering additional information, safety statistics, and the names of the Turnpike’s 45 lost lives. Guests can also sign the pledge to drive safely, which can be shared with friends and family to help the Turnpike reach its goal of 5,000 signatures this year.

Additionally, motorists on the Turnpike will see pop-up informational displays and versions of the Lost Worker Memorial at the Oakmont, North Somerset, Highspire, King of Prussia, and Allentown plaza stations.

Other Turnpike Safety Initiatives

In addition to Go Orange, the Turnpike manages other safety initiatives, including the Work Zone Speed Safety Camera Program, five District Safety Committees, employee Safety Days, and the GEICO Safety Patrol.

The GEICO Safety Patrol provides daily, 24-hour roadside assistance to motorists traveling the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The patrol actively surveils the roadway, responds to incidents, and communicates with the Turnpike Operations Center for any necessary additional response. The Patrol can be accessed by dialing *11 while on the Turnpike.

Galfand Berger LLP Fights on Behalf of Injured Turnpike Workers

For decades, Galfand Berger LLP has helped Turnpike workers protect their rights after accidents. Some of our recent cases include:

• $2 million settlement for a Turnpike maintenance crew who suffered emotional distress after a coworker was struck and killed by a tractor-trailer and narrowly escaped injury or death themselves.
• $1.75 million settlement for two Turnpike employees who suffered serious injuries when a speeding tractor-trailer struck stranded vehicles they were assisting during inclement weather.
• $665,000 recovery for a Turnpike emergency first responder who was struck and injured by an impatient truck driver who drove on the embankment to skirt the accident the responder was assisting.

Philadelphia Car Accident Lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP Protect Clients’ Rights After a Pennsylvania Turnpike Crash

If you suffered an injury in a crash on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, our skilled Philadelphia car accident lawyers at Galfand Berger LLP can discuss your legal rights and options. To learn more, call 800-222-USWA (8792) or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, Pennsylvania, we serve clients in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Allentown and Harrisburg.