PennDOT Urges Caution in First Winter Event of Season

Ahead of the anticipated winter weather across most of the state, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is advising motorists to avoid unnecessary travel during the storm and to exercise caution while driving. 

PennDOT will be implementing various speed and vehicle restrictions throughout the storm. 

Additionally, PennDOT crews will actively pre-treat roadways where necessary ahead of the storm to help prevent ice from forming a bond with the pavement. However, salt does not resolve all risks, and drivers may encounter icy spots on the roadway. 

The following vehicle restrictions will go into effect at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 21, in accordance with the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan:

• Tier 1:
  • Interstate 81 north of I-380.
  • I-84, entire length.
• Under Tier 1 restrictions, the following vehicles are not permitted on affected roadways:
  • Tractors without trailers.
  • Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded enclosed trailers, open trailers or tank trailers.
  • Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded tandem trailers.
  • Enclosed unloaded or lightly loaded cargo delivery trucks/box trucks that meet the definition of a CMV.
  • Passenger vehicles (cars, SUV’s, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers.
  • Recreational vehicles/motorhomes.
  • School buses, commercial buses and motor coaches.
  • Motorcycles.

Restrictions will be lifted as quickly as possible when conditions are safe. 

PennDOT offers the following safety tips when driving in wintry weather: 

• Stay at least six car lengths behind an operating plow truck and remember that the main plow is wider than the truck.
• Be alert since plow trucks generally travel much more slowly than other traffic.
• When a plow truck is traveling toward you, move as far away from the center of the road as is safely possible, and remember that snow can obscure the actual snow plow width.
• Never try to pass or get between several trucks plowing side by side in a "plow train." The weight of the snow thrown from the plow can quickly cause smaller vehicles to lose control, creating a hazard for nearby vehicles.
• Never travel next to a plow truck since there are blind spots where the operator can't see, and they can occasionally be moved sideways when hitting drifts or heavy snowpack.
• Keep your lights on to help the operator better see your vehicle. Also remember that under Pennsylvania state law, vehicle lights must be on every time a vehicle's wipers are on due to inclement weather.

Motorists can monitor roadway conditions online at 511PA.com.