A Pennsylvania State Police trooper taking part in enforcement along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. (Credit: PennDOT)
Pennsylvania State Police troopers are gearing up to trade their patrol cars for construction vehicles as they aim to cement safety and pave the way for responsible driving in turnpike work zones.
The annual “Operation Orange Squeeze” returned this month to combat speeding and distracted driving, officials said.
The program, which was launched by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, deploys troopers from Troop T in construction vehicles to monitor motorists disregarding work zone speed limits.
Last year alone, 176 crashes occurred in active turnpike work zones, resulting in two deaths and 48 injuries. Since the turnpike’s 1940 opening, 45 workers have died on duty.
“As we begin another construction season, we need drivers to work with us to provide safe work zones for everyone,” said Pennsylvania Turnpike CEO Mark Compton.
Operation Orange Squeeze is a nearly decade-old program.
Pennsylvania law mandates a 15-day license suspension for drivers caught speeding 11 mph or more over the posted limit in work zones or involved in a crash due to unsafe speeds. Fines for violations like speeding and driving under the influence are doubled. Homicide by vehicle in a work zone can result in up to five years of additional jail time.
In 2023, the first “Operation Orange Squeeze” post-pandemic resulted in over 430 citations and nearly 400 warnings. This year’s initiative coincides with National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Pennsylvania saw 11,262 distracted driving crashes in 2023, causing 65 deaths and 409 serious injuries, according to PennDOT data.
“The importance of programs like ‘Operation Orange Squeeze’ is not necessarily enforcement but the safety aspect and how important it is to slow down and pay attention,” said Cpl. Richard Levan of Pennsylvania State Police Troop T, which patrols the turnpike. “One highway death is one too many and that’s why we urge motorists to slow down and never drive distracted, especially in work zones.”
The turnpike and PennDOT have also implemented the Work Zone Speed Safety Camera program, which saw significant reductions in speeding and crashes during a pilot. Additionally, they have launched a statewide training program for new drivers focusing on work zone safety.
On June 5, Paul Miller’s Law goes into effect and prohibits the use of hand-held mobile devices while driving.
