In connection with Winter Driving Awareness Week, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and its safety partners are reminding motorists to exercise caution when traveling during inclement weather conditions.
“Winter weather can be unpredictable and treacherous, making it crucial for drivers to slow down, increase their following distances, and give plow trucks plenty of space,” said Mike Tautin, a Community Traffic Safety Project Coordinator with the Highway Safety Network. “Drivers should also be aware of roadway conditions that can change quickly, such as surfaces that appear to be wet but are actually frozen, or bridges and ramps where ice can form faster than on the adjoining pavement.”
During severe winter weather, PennDOT recommends motorists avoid unnecessary travel while maintenance crews work to make roads safe and passable for essential services.
“If you must travel during snow and ice conditions, the key to your safety is preparation,” said Jim Garrity, Director of Public Affairs at the American Automobile Association (AAA) East Central. “Keep an eye on the weather conditions and give yourself extra time to reach your destination. You should also have a kit in your vehicle featuring extra clothes and blankets, food, water, ice scraper, first aid supplies, medications, and anything else that you may need if you find yourself in an emergency.”
As part of their preparations, motorists can plan their route and monitor real-time conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com, which is free and available 24 hours a day.
“Before drivers even leave their home, they must remember Pennsylvania law requires them to clear their vehicle completely of snow and ice,” said Trooper Bertha Cazy, a Community Services Officer with Troop D of the Pennsylvania State Police. “This will provide better visibility for the driver and can potentially prevent crashes from the snow and ice falling onto the roadway.”
The law states drivers must remove accumulated ice or snow from their vehicle, including the hood, trunk, and roof within 24 hours after the storm has ended. This applies to all vehicles, including commercial vehicles. Drivers in violation of the law are subject to a fine of $50. Additionally, drivers can be cited up to $1,500 if snow or ice is dislodged and strikes another vehicle or pedestrian causing death or serious injury.
PennDOT recommends these additional safety tips to help prevent winter-weather crashes:
- Obey speed limit and vehicle restrictions when they are implemented.
- Avoid sudden stops and starts.
- Follow the state law to turn on headlights when windshield wipers are in use.
- Use low beams in poor visibility conditions, especially in cases of heavy or blowing snow.
- Keep the gas tank at least half full.
- Avoid using cruise control on snow-covered roads.
For more information on winter driving safety and how PennDOT treats winter storms, visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov/winter.
Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties at www.pa.gov/DOTdistrict1.
Find PennDOT news from the northwest region on X and Facebook.
MEDIA CONTACT: Saxon Daugherty, sadaughert@pa.gov or 814-678-7095
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