PennDOT: Everyone Should Stay Home If They Can
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- At the Norristown PennDOT facility, salt trucks are loading up. This is one time when high salt content is a good thing.
PennDOT Secretary Leslie Richard held a press conference a short while ago. She said 4,000 PennDOT employees across the state will be working 12 hour shifts.
One of the main points PennDOT is making is that everybody should stay home.
"I cannot stress enough, please stay home, if you do not need to be outside on our roads, please do not go outside. We know that there will be emergencies, but the less cars on the road will allow our equipment operators to do what they need to do and then clear the road during the storm," Richard said.
And in case you are wondering just how dangerous it is during ice and snow events, the secretary pointed out that last year there were 552 accidents, 279 injuries, and four fatalities, all during snow and ice storms. So, PennDOT is busy.
120,000 tons of salt are ready to be spread, and the important thing is for you to use caution. When you are out there, don't pass a plow truck and stay at least six car lengths behind it.
Due to the severity of the winter storm, PennDOT announced just after 9 p.m. it is temporarily reducing the speed limit on several expressways in the region.
PennDOT is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel but those who must head out will see speeds reduced to 45 mph on the following highways:
- Interstates 76, 95, 476, 676;
- U.S. Routes 1, 30, 202, 422; and
- State Routes 63, 100 Spur and 309.
Although PennDOT crews have been treating roadways, officials say the department's primary goal is to keep roads passable, not completely free of ice and snow. PennDOT will continue to treat roadways throughout the storm until precipitation stops and roads are clear.
While PennDOT recommends not traveling during winter storms, officials say 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 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.
The department also 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.
PennDOT reminds motorists to pack an emergency kit for their vehicles. A basic kit should include non-perishable food, water, blanket, small shovel and warm clothes. When preparing an emergency kit, motorists should take into account special needs of passengers such as baby food, pet supplies or medications and pack accordingly.
PennDOT also reminds citizens that downloadable materials, including home and car emergency kit checklists and emergency plan templates, are available at www.ReadyPA.org or by downloading the free ReadyPA app for Apple or Android devices. Citizens can also find information about getting involved in local emergency response efforts and other volunteer opportunities through the ReadyPA website.
For more PennDOT information, visit www.penndot.gov. For more winter driving tips and information on how PennDOT treats winter storms, visit www.PennDOT.gov/winter.
