Credit: PA Internet News Service
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission has urged travel safety precautions ahead of the holiday weekend.
According to a release, the Turnpike Commission estimates more than two million motorists will be traveling on the turnpike this weekend. Memorial Day weekend is the traditional summer season kick-off and is slated to be among the heaviest travel periods of the year.
“More travelers, especially families, will be on the go this upcoming weekend,” said Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “We anticipate about 2.3 million vehicles on our roadway from Friday through Monday. In addition to many more people traveling, drivers may be navigating in unfamiliar areas. Remember that a driver’s focus should always be on the road and everyone in the vehicle should be safely secured – that means adults, children, toddlers and babies.”
To help accommodate heavier holiday traffic, the Turnpike will suspend maintenance work and have all available lanes open in each direction beginning at 5 a.m. on May 26 through 11 p.m. on May 30. The busiest time for travel, according to the Turnpike Commission, will be Friday afternoon and Monday evening.
“You are never alone on the Pennsylvania Turnpike,” says Lieutenant David Devitt of the Pennsylvania State Police Troop T, the troop in charge of Turnpike patrols. “We have patrols and safety teams throughout the system who are there to assure you get safely to your destination. That means responding to travelers in need of assistance, as well as taking action against illegal or unsafe behaviors.”
In the event of an emergency on the Turnpike, travelers can dial *11 on their mobile phone; just note your milepost location when calling.
For more information on Turnpike safety, please click here.
