With temperatures expected to drop and cause potential refreezing on roadways, PennDOT today reminded motorists to be alert to changing road and weather conditions and to adjust their driving behavior accordingly.
“Winter driving conditions can change very quickly and present challenges for drivers,” said PennDOT Engineering District 5 Executive Michael W. Rebert. “It is crucial for drivers to be prepared for whatever conditions they may face, drive according to conditions, slow down and use extra caution.”
Rebert added winter driving challenges do not necessarily end when the snow stops falling. PennDOT crews have been treating roadways since Sunday afternoon, but falling temperatures can quickly create freezing conditions on roadways.
In addition to encouraging cautious driving, the department asks motorists to allow plenty of space when driving near plow trucks. Also, 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 local PennDOT information on Twitter at www.twitter.com/511PAAllentown.
