CLEARFIELD – The summer season may be winding down but area roadway improvement projects are still in progress. PennDOT District 2 reminds motorists that work zone restrictions require drivers to remain alert. District 2 includes the following counties: Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Juniata, McKean, Mifflin and Potter.
Drivers should pay special attention to the orange road signs as they enter a work zone. These signs provide information about lane closures and the posted speed limit for the work zone.
Motorists can find similar information displayed on Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) in some areas. These signs relay traffic information such as lane closures or safety awareness messages.
PennDOT also utilizes the Highway Advisory Radio System (HARS) at 1640 on the AM dial. Drivers can tune to the HARS for roadway condition information. Currently HARS is broadcasting messages on Interstate 80 to advise motorists of lane closures in work zones. HARS is also used for special events, incidents, and weather emergencies.
In work zones, drivers should:
- Be patient
- Obey the posted work zone speed limit, and maintain speed through the work zone as conditions permit
- Be alert for flaggers and stopped or slow-moving traffic
- Turn on headlights
- Avoid any distraction that could take attention away from the road
Last year in PennDOT District 2, 57 crashes occurred in work zones. Nearly half of those crashes were related to aggressive driving.
PennDOT reminds motorists to always buckle up and log on to 511pa.com or call 511 from any phone to check traffic conditions before heading out.