The Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission hosted an event on April 26 to kick off National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW). The week, designated to highlight the critical importance of safe driving through work zones, runs through April 30. The theme of this year’s work-zone safety campaign is “Drive safe. Work safe. Save lives.”
“In addition to today being the beginning of Work Zone Awareness week, changes made to Pennsylvania’s Move Over Law go into effect tomorrow,” Lieutenant Colonel Price explained. “Last year, 55 state police vehicles were struck while troopers were responding to traffic stops, disabled motorists, or crash scenes. The goal of the Move Over Law is to prevent these dangerous situations.”
Pennsylvania’s Move Over Law requires drivers to change lanes when approaching an emergency response area. Updates to the law, which include a new point system for violators and sets a fine of $500 for first-time offenders, $1,000 for a second offense, and $2,000 plus 90-day license suspension for a third or subsequent offense, take effect on April 27. The revamped Move Over Law also mandates drivers change lanes or slow down when approaching disabled vehicles when at least two emergency displays, such as vehicle hazard lamps, road flares, and/or cones or caution signs are present.
Full details on Work Zone Awareness Week are posted HERE.