MIDDLETOWN, Pa. — Drivers across south-central Pennsylvania are encouraged to move over and slow down during National Move Over Day.
“Our roadway is only as safe as the people who drive on it," said Tom Macchione, director of traffic engineering and operations at the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission.
On Saturday, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission held the area's first-ever Move Over Awareness event. The festival served as an opportunity to educate people about the Commonwealth's Move Over Law.
The law requires drivers to move over one lane or slow down to 20 mph under the speed limit when approaching an emergency response area.
"This event puts a face to the name," said Macchione. "There [are] police, fire, EMS, tow-truck drivers in person and you can see what they do on a daily basis, so you know these are the people that are helping me."
A memorial was also established at the event to honor PennDOT workers who were struck and killed on the job.
Since 2019, 14 first responders across Pennsylvania have died while working alongside the road.
“You can’t say they signed up for that, because nobody signs up to be hit and killed," said Todd Leiss, the founder of TIM Heroes Inc. "Often times when a responder is killed on the side of the road, so is the motorists they’re helping.”
Crystal Eisenberg was among the 14 families who lost a loved one while working on the side of the road. Her father, Kurt Keilhofer, was responding to a crash when he was struck and killed in December 2022.
“These are people’s lives, and the people left behind have to pick up the pieces and move on somehow," said Eisenberg.
Advocates hope the event will continue to make more drivers aware of the law and protect more roadside workers and first responders.
“There is no minimum speed limit you have to maintain. The slower, the better," said Eisenberg.