‘Operation Orange Squeeze’ patrols to crack down on PA Turnpike drivers

The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) will partner to put state troopers inside construction vehicles in order to spot dangerous driving behaviors.

On Monday, the PTC announced that an “Operation Orange Squeeze” patrol was taking place on the Pennsylvania Turnpike this week in partnership with PSP. Operation Orange Squeeze focuses on patrolling construction zones in order to provide more protection for workers.

As part of the patrol, PSP troopers trade in their marked cruisers for construction vehicles in order to spot dangerous driving behaviors like speeding, distracted driving, aggressive driving, or following too closely.

Officials say that 45 workers have been killed in accident on the Pennsylvania Turnpike since 1940.

“A key part of our joint mission is our ongoing commitment to safety,” said Mark Compton, Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission CEO. “While we implement many safety measures in our work zones for the safety of our workers and customers, we need drivers to work with us to ensure work zones are safe for everyone. That’s why we urge motorists to slow down and never drive distractedly, especially in work zones.”

An April 2023 Operation Orange Squeeze patrol resulted in 436 citations, 395 warnings, and two arrests for DUI.