Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Hosted Second Annual Move Over Day Event
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Hosted Second Annual Move Over Day Event
“Move Over, Slow Down” to safeguard roadside responders
MIDDLETOWN, PA – Community members, elected officials, roadway safety advocates and first responders joined the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, TIM Heroes, Inc., and the Tyler Laudenslager Foundation for their second annual Move Over Day Event on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
“Safety is part of everything we do at the PA Turnpike,” said Tom Macchione, Director of Traffic Engineering & Operations for the PA Turnpike. “Partners like TIM Heroes and the Tyler Laudenslager Foundation put a human face on the cost of distracted driving. It’s personal for us, too, because we want all our employees working along the roadway, authorized service providers and customers to get home safe to their families.”
The Move Over Day event is a free, community event filled with family-friendly activities that bring awareness to the Pennsylvania Move Over Law.
All 50 states have a Move Over Law – Pennsylvania’s was signed in 2020 – directing drivers to move into an adjacent lane, if it is safe to do so, or slow down at least 20 mph under the posted speed limit when approaching an emergency response area.
Emergency response areas are indicated by flashing lights, flares, caution signs or other control devices indicating the presence of police, fire, ambulance, tow trucks, utility workers or disabled motorists.
Failure to comply could yield fines of up to $500 for first-time offenders, with penalties doubled for additional violations.
Todd Leiss, founder of TIM Heroes, noted that, on average, two Pennsylvania responders are killed every year while working at the roadside. In just 26 days, between September 26 and October 22, seven United States emergency responders were struck and killed.
“These aren’t statistics — they’re fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, friends, and heroes who ran toward danger so others could live,” said Leiss. “We owe them action. Slow Down. Move Over. Stay Alert. Protect those who protect us — every single time.”
Beyond helping educate and raise awareness about safety measures, such as the Move Over Law, this year’s event featured a kids’ safety zone, 20+ touch-a-truck vehicles, face-painting, local vendors and food trucks.
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