PA Turnpike Launches 10th Annual Work Zone Safety Campaign, Go Orange
PA Turnpike Launches 10th Annual Work Zone Safety Campaign, Go Orange
Work zone safety campaign celebrates a decade of dedication
MIDDLETOWN, PA – The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) officially kicked off its 10th annual “Go Orange” campaign, reminding the public about the importance of driving safely through work zones to protect highway workers and motorists. The campaign runs from May to October, coinciding with construction season, and includes a special commemoration of those who died in the line of duty.
“Safety is embedded in our strategic plan, values and work culture, but it’s also personal,” said PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “More than half of our employees work in the field, and they deserve to go home every day. As another construction season ramps up, we need drivers to do their part in keeping work zones safe. When you see orange – slow down, stay alert and commit to responsible behavior.”
Reckless driving has life and death consequences for the people working to improve the PA Turnpike; more than 40 PA Turnpike workers have died while performing their duties since the PA Turnpike opened in 1940.
Beyond reckless driving’s devastating impact on others, it brings serious penalties.
Here are some stats:
- In 2024, Pennsylvania State Police issued more than 9,000 citations and more than 11,000 warnings motorists in PA Turnpike work zones.
- That same year, 176 crashes were reported in PA Turnpike work zones.
- Reckless driving has legal and financial complications: $200 in fines, court costs and supplemental charges, five points on your license and possible jail time
While the Go Orange campaign’s foundation is public awareness, workers remain at the forefront of innovative PA Turnpike programs that drive measurable results, including:
- Implementing a Subcommittee on Work Zone Safety: Launched in 2015, it meets monthly to review trends and patterns to improve work zone safety and mitigate future crashes and fatalities.
- Reducing crash rates by more than 20%: National trends for similar roadways over the last decade have either increased or remained consistent.
- Launching a New Driver Work Zone Safety Program: A joint project with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), this free, 35-minute virtual course teaches new drivers how to maneuver safely and confidently through work zones.
- Improving driver behavior through Work Zone Speed Safety Cameras operated in conjunction with PennDOT and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP).
- During 2024’s primary construction season (April – October), speeding in enforced work zones dropped to 17% of all traffic, with excessive speeding (11+ mph over the posted speed limit) reduced to 2.9% of all traffic.
- Piloting a rear-facing air horn system to alert motorists if they are approaching a Truck-Mounted Attenuator (TMA) too quickly. Attached to the rear of maintenance vehicles, TMAs are designed to absorb collision impact and reduce crash severity. A pilot program adding driver-triggered airhorns to these vehicles is underway at the Newville, Burnt Cabins, Everett and Donegal maintenance sheds.
- Enforcing speed through Operation Orange Squeeze, a partnership with PSP where troopers trade their cruisers for construction vehicles to put the brakes on unsafe work zone behaviors. This past April, PSP issued 238 citations and 240 warnings.
- Providing 24/7 roadside assistance through the GEICO Safety Patrol. This fleet of dedicated PA Turnpike personnel reports to incident scenes, provides traffic control and can request first responder services. In 2024, the GEICO Safety Patrol assisted in more than 35,000 incidents, in addition to routine patrols. Customers can access this assistance by dialing *11 when on the Turnpike.
The PA Turnpike opened 2025’s Go Orange campaign by displaying its Lost Worker Memorial outside of its Middletown headquarters. The memorial – composed of 45 orange cones topped with hard hats and plaques bearing the names of employees who lost their lives in the line of duty – will travel to various locations throughout Pennsylvania this summer. The PA Turnpike also encourages employees and the public to wear orange on Wednesdays as a show of support and reminder to always drive safely through work zones.
For more information or to support PA Turnpike workers by taking the safe work zone driving pledge, visit www.paturnpike.com/go-orange-pa.
A national transportation leader, the Pennsylvania Turnpike (PA Turnpike) is the second largest tolling facility in the United States with the most miles. The PA Turnpike proudly supports safety and convenience for its more than 550,000 daily customers through 24-7 roadside assistance, round-the-clock food and fuel at 17 service plazas and a dedicated maintenance force and State Police Troop. The PA Turnpike’s approximately 1,400-person local workforce is unified in its mission; to operate a safe, reliable, customer-valued toll road system that supports national mobility and commerce. For more information about the PA Turnpike’s mission, vision and values, please visit Home | PA Turnpike.
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Media Contacts:
Marissa Orbanek, Press Secretary: (267) 408-5151, morbanek@paturnpike.com
Crispin Havener, Assistant Press Secretary: (717) 870-2841, chavener@paturnpike.com