HARRISBURG – Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-33) and officials from the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will hold a news event on Monday, May 22, to highlight a new law in Pennsylvania and raise awareness about Pennsylvania’s existing “move over” law prior to the highly traveled Memorial Day weekend.
The event will begin Monday at 10:30 a.m. at Soldiers Grove across from the fountain behind the state Capitol, Harrisburg.
Workers from several tow truck companies will be in attendance with their trucks to display their newly fitted blue lights. Prior to the enactment of Act 157 earlier this year, tow truck operators could only use flashing orange or yellow lights. Studies by the Texas Department of Transportation and the University of Michigan demonstrated that drivers routinely ignore the sight of yellow or orange lights on the road. Blue lights elicit a different response from drivers and are far more visible in hazardous weather conditions. They also give distracted drivers more time to see and react before a potential accident.
Mastriano and Turnpike Commission officials also will raise awareness about Pennsylvania’s existing “move over” law ahead of Memorial Day weekend. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, fatal car accidents are more likely to happen during Memorial Day weekend than any other holiday weekend. The American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates 39.3 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles during the Memorial Day weekend.
Speakers will emphasize safety and being alert for first responders and emergency workers aiding travelers with vehicle accidents.
Speakers at the news conference will include:
- Mastriano
- Todd Leiss, traffic incident management coordinator, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
- Tow truck operators and families who lost loved ones through roadside accidents
Watch live at SenatorMastriano.com
Media contact: Josh Herman
717-787-9603