Pa. Turnpike to Launch 'Text-Free Turnpike' Campaign at Headquarters near Harrisburg

Motorist-awareness kickoff will be held in conjunction with Turnpike's 70th Birthday.

HARRISBURG, PA (09/28/2010)(readMedia)-- The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is launching a statewide safety-awareness campaign this week aimed at reducing the incidents of texting-related crashes on the state's toll highways. Officials will unveil new "no-texting" signs at the Turnpike's Central Administration Building, 700 South Eisenhower Blvd., Harrisburg.

The new messages are being unveiled on the eve of the Pennsylvania Turnpike's 70th Anniversary; the toll road opened to traffic on Oct. 1, 1940. Officials from Pennsylvania State Police, the AAA Central Penn auto club and the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association will join in the announcement.

WHO:

Joe Brimmeier, Chief Executive Officer, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission; Captain Martin L. Henry III, Commanding Officer, Pennsylvania State Police Troop T Highspire; James Runk, President and CEO, Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association; Cindy Brough, CTC, Public Relations Manager, AAA Central Penn.
WHAT:

Launch of a new safety campaign to get drivers to keep their thumbs on the steering wheel and reduce the number of distraction-related accidents on the PA Turnpike.
WHEN: Thursday September 30, 2010 at 02:00PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: Turnpike Central Administration Building
700 S. Eisenhower Blvd.
Middletown, Pennsylvania 17057
NOTES:

Take Exit 1B (Highspire) off I-283 North or South; at the traffic light at Wendy’s Restaurant, turn left onto S. Eisenhower Blvd. and drive 1 block to turnpike offices on left. The driveway is marked with a green Turnpike Commission sign. The event will take place in the parking lot if there is no rain or in the lobby in case of rain.