With falling temperatures that could bring the potential for freezing on area roadways, PennDOT yesterday reminded motorists to be alert to changing road and weather conditions and to adjust their driving behavior accordingly.
“Driving conditions can change very rapidly in winter and that can present many challenges for motorists,” said PennDOT Engineering District 1 Executive Bill Petit. “It is crucial for drivers to be prepared for whatever conditions they might face. We urge drivers to slow down and use extra caution in winter conditions.”
Petit added that winter driving challenges do not always end when the snow stops falling. PennDOT crews have been treating roadways since Sunday morning, but falling temperatures can quickly create freezing conditions on roadways.
In addition to encouraging cautious driving, the department also asks motorists to allow plenty of space when driving near plow trucks. For their own safety and the safety of plow operators, motorists should never attempt to pass a truck while it is plowing or spreading winter materials.
Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 700 traffic cameras.
511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.
For more winter driving tips and information on how PennDOT treats winter storms, visit www.dot.state.pa.us/winter.
Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/511PAErie.
Copyright © 2024 EYT Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Any copying, redistribution or retransmission of the contents of this service without the express written consent of EYT Media Group, Inc. is expressly prohibited.
