Safety Patrol Program
The Safety Patrol utilizes a fleet of dedicated vehicles operated solely by Pennsylvania Turnpike personnel to provide First Responder services to motorists on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The Safety Patrol:
- Responds to accidents/incidents
- Provides traffic control for scene stabilization
- Delivers an initial maintenance response (debris clean up, spill control, etc.)
- Communicates with the Turnpike Operations Center (and other responders) regarding the incident and resources needed to respond
- Patrols the roadway
- Renders customer assistance
Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is proud to offer this service to all motorists who travel on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.
Commonly Asked Questions
What does the Safety Patrol do?
The Safety Patrol vehicles travel the Pennsylvania Turnpike looking for stranded motorists, debris on the road, traffic accidents or other incidents. The Safety Patrol drivers assist in these situations to help motorists and ultimately keep traffic moving.
How much will this service cost motorists?
There is no charge for the service.
What services do you offer?
The Safety Patrol is a First Responder Program designed to assess your situation and dispatch the appropriate assistance. The Safety Patrol will wait with you until additional assistance arrives.
What are your hours of operations?
The Safety Patrol is available 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
Where do I call, if I need help?
You may call Star (*) 11 from your cell phone. Safety Patrol drivers should be able to locate you
within 15 to 30 minutes unless they are detained because of another accident or incident. If you are stranded on the highway, move your vehicle to a safe location, stay inside, and wait for help to arrive.
What areas are covered by the Safety Patrol?
Each Safety Patrol vehicle covers an assigned section of the Pennsylvania Turnpike of between
20 to 25 miles in length.
Safety Checklist
Traveling on the Pennsylvania Turnpike
- Make sure your vehicle is in good driving condition.
- Buckle up all seat belts.
- Make sure you are fit to drive.
- Use your signals when changing lanes, entering and exiting the roadway.
- Consider carrying a flashlight, flares and a fire extinguisher in your vehicle.
- Motorists must turn on their headlights whenever windshield wipers are used in inclement weather.
- Carry cash or E-ZPass (Electronic Toll Collection) to pay tolls.
If you are in an accident
- Follow the "Move It" law and remove accident vehicles from travel lanes.
- Dial Star (*) 11 for assistance or use yellow emergency call boxes located at 1 mile intervals on both sides of the Turnpike.
- Check for and attend to injuries.
- Exchange driver and vehicle insurance information.
- Wait for the Safety Patrol.
