Free Coffee On The Turnpike For Holiday Drivers

FT. LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) – An alert driver is a safer driver, so this Christmas the Florida Turnpike wants you to a have a cup of coffee, or two, on them.

Over the long weekend, thousands of drivers will use the Turnpike to get to family or friends for the holiday. Some will leave very late or very early to get there in time. To help them stay alert, free coffee will be offered at the highways service plaza's restaurants except Pompano Beach whose restaurants are closed for renovation; coffee will be available at the Shell station.

This complimentary pick-me-up will be available:

11 p.m. Saturday, December 24, to 6 a.m. Sunday, December 25
11 p.m. Sunday, December 25, to 6 a.m. Monday, December 26

Turnpike officials plan to make the free coffee offer available over the New Years holiday as well:

11 p.m. Saturday, December 31, to 6 a.m. Sunday, January 1
11 p.m. Sunday, January 1, to 6 a.m. Monday, January 2

During the heavily traveled Christmas weekend, the State Farm Safety Patrol Road Rangers who offer free roadside assistance to drivers in need will extend their hours of operation during the peak travel periods.

The Florida Highway Patrol reminds all drivers to check their tire pressure before they hit the road and update their SunPass if necessary. Drivers can also call the new statewide 511 travel information system to receive real-time traffic information. 511 provides free travel and traffic information for Florida's Turnpike system roadways, all interstate highways and major metropolitan roadways to residents and visitors.