Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Recognizes Crash Responder Safety Week
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission Recognizes Crash Responder Safety Week
Middletown, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) joins agencies around the country in recognizing Crash Responder Safety Week, a national effort to raise awareness of traffic incident responder safety and the need for drivers to slow down, move over and protect the roadway workforce. This year’s recognition runs November 17-21, 2025.
“We are grateful for the responders who are working each day to protect us on the road and prioritize the safety of drivers on the Pennsylvania Turnpike,” said PA Turnpike COO Craig Shuey. “Safe driving choices save lives and this very personal for us, because we want all our employees working roadside, customers and service providers to get home safely to their families.”
First responders are essential to the PA Turnpike’s overall safety, and the lives of all who travel on it. Hundreds of PA Turnpike employees provide critical public service at all hours of the day and night. These on-scene personnel respond to incidents on the roadway, supporting everything from disabled vehicles, crashes, fires, medical emergencies and traffic control.
In addition to its maintenance crew members and dedicated Pennsylvania State Police force, Turnpike Operations Center dispatchers relay critical information during incidents. In communities across our network, more than a dozen towing companies, 100-plus fire departments, nearly 70 EMS services and three hazardous materials response companies also support the roadway.
“Safety is huge,” said Lamar Smith, a PA Turnpike equipment operator. “We all want to get home safe. Working out here next to live traffic can be dangerous. So, pay attention, slow down, move over, follow the signs and be cautious when you see the flashing lights.”
Greg Miller, also a PA Turnpike equipment operator, hopes this week will help remind drivers to be cautious and alert.
“We are some of the first people there on the scene to try to save somebody or help somebody,” Miller added. “We just want people to be more aware of what we have to do and what we have to deal with in terms of traffic, so maybe they’d be more conscious when travelling through a lane or at an accident scene.”
Recognizing the courageous efforts and critical public service of first responders, Governor Josh Shapiro signed a proclamation earlier this month officially recognizing November 17-21, 2025, as Crash Responder Safety Week in Pennsylvania.
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.
“The biggest thing is to slow down and move over. If you see anybody on the shoulder or any type of emergency personnel, whether it’s a tow truck, fire, police or EMS, just slow down and get over,” said Tyler Miller, a PA Turnpike maintenance utility worker.
Failure to comply could yield fines of up to $500 for first-time offenders, with penalties doubled for additional violations.
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