Pa. Turnpike to Launch 'Text-Free Turnpike' Campaign at King of Prussia Service Plaza

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 texting-related crashes on the state's toll highways. Officials will unveil new "no-texting" signs at the Turnpike's King of Prussia Service Plaza Thursday morning. The new messages will be unveiled on the eve of the Pennsylvania Turnpike's 70th Anniversary; the toll road opened to traffic Oct. 1, 1940. Officials from Pennsylvania State Police, the AAA Mid Atlantic 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; Kevin Fisher, Board Member & Past President, Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association; Ron Kosh, Vice President of Public and Governmental Affairs, AAA Mid Atlantic
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.
WHEN: Thursday September 30, 2010 at 10:00AM Eastern Time (US & Canada)
WHERE: King of Prussia Service Plaza
Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276) westbound – Milepost 328.4
Upper Merion Township
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania
NOTES:

The King of Prussia Plaza is on I-276 westbound between the Norristown and Valley Forge Interchanges. Media can get to the service plaza via the rear entrance accessible from Route 202 (behind Raymour & Flannigan, 371 W. DeKalb Pike). Please park and use the walkway to enter the service plaza. Media can also access the plaza from the westbound Pa. Turnpike, about five miles west of the Norristown Interchange (#333). If you travel via the PA Turnpike, you will only be able to exit the service plaza to continue westbound to the Valley Forge Interchange.