New Year’s Travelers to Receive Free Coffee and Tea at Thruway Travel Plazas

ALBANY, NY (12/29/2009)(readMedia)– The New York State Thruway Authority announced HMS Host Family Restaurants, Inc., McDonald’s Corporation and Delaware North Travel and Hospitality Services, the Thruway travel plaza food concessionaires, will once again offer free coffee and tea to all motorists traveling during New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. For more than 40 years, Thruway travelers have been offered this service to help keep motorists warm and alert during late-night or early-morning travels.

Continuing with tradition, the free small beverages will be provided at all 27 travel plazas along the Thruway from 11 p.m. on Thursday, December 31, until 7 a.m. on Friday, January 1, 2010.

“With more travelers on the roadways during the winter holiday season and greater chances of inclement weather conditions, motorists are encouraged to take frequent breaks if they are feeling fatigued,” said Thruway Authority Executive Director Michael R. Fleischer. “To help ensure a safe and enjoyable trip during New Year’s, and throughout the new year, motorists are reminded to remain alert and aware of their surroundings, drive with caution, and leave extra time for travel.”

Motorists are reminded to take frequent safety breaks while traveling to avoid drowsy driving. Drowsy driving ranges from falling asleep at the wheel to simply not paying attention to driving because of fatigue or lack of sleep. Warning signs include difficulty keeping your eyes open, repeated yawning, having wandering or disconnected thoughts, drifting from the driving lane, or failure to remember the last few miles driven.

The Authority advises travelers to take turns driving or take frequent breaks at Thruway Travel Plazas every two hours or 100 miles. While consuming caffeinated beverages, such as coffee or soda, provides short-term benefits in driver alertness, taking frequent breaks are more effective.

If motorists are feeling tired, they are encouraged to use one of the travel plazas or rest areas located along the Thruway System to take a break. Travelers should never stop along the shoulder of the highway unless there is an emergency.

For additional information on the warning signs of drowsy driving and tips on how to avoid driving while tired, please visit the following link to the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee website: http://www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/drow-ndx.htm

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the New York State Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee have indicated that drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as drinking and driving.

“We ask that motorists celebrate the New Year responsibly – never drink and drive, and make sure all passengers in the vehicle wear their seatbelts,” said Fleischer.

New York State Troop T Major Robert C. Meyers said, “The New York State Police maintains a zero-tolerance stand on intoxicated driving violations and our Troopers will be out in force this holiday weekend. Troop T has several alcohol enforcement details scheduled over the New Years Holiday period across the Thruway system. I encourage all motorists to drive responsibly and with the utmost care and safety this holiday weekend. If you operate a motor vehicle in an intoxicated condition, then you should fully expect to be arrested by a New York State Trooper.”

HMS Host Family Restaurants, Inc., McDonald’s Corporation and Delaware North Travel and Hospitality Services, the travel plaza food concessionaires along the Thruway, will work in cooperation with the Authority to continue this New Year’s tradition. Fuel and food services from at least one restaurant concept are available around-the-clock at each travel plaza.

For a complete list of travel plazas along the System, please visit the following link on the Authority’s website: http://www.nysthruway.gov/travelplazas/directory.html

New Year’s Travelers to Receive Free Coffee and Tea at Thruway Travel Plazas

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