Harrisburg – In anticipation of frozen rainfall and potentially icy road conditions in many areas this weekend, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) advises motorists to monitor the weather forecast and postpone unnecessary journeys during the storm.
“We are prepared and will work before and during the storm,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “Every icing is a challenge because rain washes away some material and ice is less visible to drivers than snow.”
If conditions warrant temporary speed or vehicle restrictions, these will be communicated via message boards that 511PA website with travel information and smartphone apps. Motorists can too Sign up for personalized notifications on the website.
Freezing conditions are expected across the state, and PennDOT urges motorists to avoid travel whenever possible. If travel is required, use caution, reduce speed, and be aware of changing weather conditions. PennDOT pre-treated the pavement as needed ahead of this week’s storm to prevent ice from bonding to the pavement in the early stages of a storm.
However, salt is not a panacea, and drivers can run into icy areas on the road surface. In freezing temperatures, wet-looking roads can actually be icy, and special care should be taken when approaching bridges and motorway entrances where ice can form without warning.
To make decisions regarding winter travel, motorists are encouraged to educate themselves in advance by checking conditions on more than 40,000 kilometers of road, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles by visitingwww.511PA.com.
511PA, which is free and available 24/7, provides traffic delay alerts, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to 1,000+ traffic cameras. The Check My Route tool also allows users to view the status of plow vehicles and travel warnings along a specific route.
511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by phone at 5-1-1, or as follows regional twitter notifications.
Drivers should prepare or replenish their emergency equipment with items such as durable food, water, first aid supplies, warm clothing, a blanket, a cell phone charger, and a small snow shovel. Motorists should tailor their kits to the specific needs they or their families have, such as: B. Baby supplies, additional medication and pet supplies.
When drivers encounter snowy or ice-covered roads, they should slow down, increase their distance and avoid distractions. Last winter in Pennsylvania, preliminary data showed that there were 301 accidents resulting in four deaths and 143 injuries on snowy, muddy or ice-covered roads, in which aggressive driving behavior such as speeding or careless lane changes were factors.
The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency has also warned local residents that ice can cause trees to fall on power lines, which can lead to blackouts that can last for an extended period of time. If the power goes out, never use a gas-powered appliance to heat your home, such as a kitchen stove. B. a stove or a gas grill. They can cause carbon monoxide to build up in your home, potentially fatal.
Carbon monoxide is known as the silent killer because the odorless, tasteless gas can incapacitate victims before they are aware of the exposure. Sources can include wood-burning fireplaces and stoves, gas fireplaces, appliances, grills, generators, and automobiles. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are often mistaken for the flu and include nausea, headache, dizziness, disorientation, and fatigue. If you suspect carbon monoxide levels in your home, get out and call 911 immediately.
Additional resources are available for download including home and car emergency kit checklists and emergency plan templates at www.Ready.PA.gov. The public can also visit the ReadyPA website to find information about getting involved in local emergency response and other volunteer opportunities.
For more information on safe winter travel, an emergency equipment checklist, and PennDOT winter operations information including a video, please visit www.PennDOT.gov/winter. More information about winter driving and other safety information on motorways is available at www.PennDOT.gov/safety.
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