Uniontown, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) partnered with the Highway Safety Network, A.B.A.T.E. of PA, and Traffic Injury Prevention Project (TIPP) to promote safe driving during the summer season during a safety day at the Welcome Center at Washington located in Claysville. The event featured safety activities and provided visitors with summer travel tips.
The PennDOT Workers’ Memorial, which honors the 90 PennDOT employees who have been killed in the line of duty since 1970, was also on display at the event. The memorial, with its reflective vests and hardhats mounted on stands, was created by Bradford County maintenance workers following the death of co-worker Leah Rumsey, who was hit by a car while flagging in a work zone.
PennDOT District 12 has five employees represented in the memorial - P. Patterson, Thomas Haragos, Robert Queen, Joseph Couch and Timothy Miller. The memorial emphasizes the fact that the safety of workers in a work zone is truly dependent on each person on Pennsylvania's roadways.
PennDOT would like to remind drivers of important summer driving tips to keep themselves, and others on the road, safe:
- Plan your route. Before heading out, check the weather, road conditions, and traffic.
- Leave early and give yourself plenty of time to get there.
- Buckle up and ensure that everyone else in your vehicle is buckled up in age- and size appropriate car seats, booster seats, or seat belts.
- Stay alert and avoid distractions.
MEDIA CONTACT: Emily Swecker, eswecker@pa.gov or 724-425-3018