PennDOT, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Urge Responsible, Safe Driving on “Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day”

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) encouraged all Pennsylvania motorists to slow down and never drive distracted as they marked “Put the Brakes on Fatalities Day” occurring on October 10 each year.

“We want to encourage everyone to drive safe tomorrow and every day,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “Even one life lost is one too many, and Pennsylvania is committed to moving toward zero deaths.”

According to national data, over 90 percent of crashes are caused by driver behavior. PennDOT urges motorists to follow the speed limit, pay close attention when driving, especially in work zones where roadway conditions can change on a daily basis.

On March 4, 2020, PennDOT and the PTC announced that enforcement of the statewide Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement (AWZSE) program began. Pennsylvania’s AWZSE program uses vehicle-mounted systems to detect and record motorists exceeding posted work zone speed limits by 11 miles per hour or more using electronic speed timing devices. AWZSE systems are only operational in active work zones where workers are present. Registered owners will receive a warning letter for a first offense, a violation notice and $75 fine for a second offense, and a violation notice and $150 fine for third and subsequent offenses. These violations are civil penalties only; no points will be assessed to driver’s licenses.

“Each day, emergency responders and highway workers risk their own safety to come to the aid of others on Pennsylvania roadways,” said PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “While on scene, this band of heroes must perform difficult jobs while also thinking about serious dangers very close by.”

Motorists are reminded to move over or slow down when they encounter an incident along the side of the road. Founded in 2017, PennTIME is Pennsylvania’s statewide Traffic Incident Management program. Since then, PennTIME has trained 13,000 first responders and lowered response times, increasing safety for both motorists and responders. The program also continues to garner legislative support for enhancements to Pennsylvania’s Steer Clear law, which requires drivers to move over or slow down when they encounter an emergency scene, traffic stop, or disabled vehicle.

To learn more about PennDOT’s safety initiatives, visit www.PennDOT.gov/Safety.

Put yourself in a roadway worker’s boots, take the PA Turnpike’s safe driving pledge at https://idriveorange.com/Home/.

For more information on the Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement program, including a list of projects where the units are deployed, visit WorkZoneCameras.PennDOT.gov.

For more information on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, visit www.PATurnpike.com/.

To learn more about PennTIME, visit www.PATurnpike.com/PennTIME.

CONTACT:
Alexis Campbell, 717-603-1815, alecampbel@pa.gov
or Jennifer Kuntch, 717-705-1551, jkuntch@pa.gov (PennDOT)

Carl DeFebo, 717-645-2265, cdefebo@paturnpike.com
or Rosanne Placey, 717-675-4362 or rplacey@paturnpike.com (PTC)