HARRISBURG – With a combination of rain, sleet, snow and freezing rain forecast for parts of Pennsylvania on Thanksgiving Day, PennDOT is reminding drivers that although its crews will be working as necessary, motorists must be alert for changing road and weather conditions.
If freezing precipitation occurs, PennDOT will treat interstates and other high-volume expressways first; secondary state routes are a lower priority.
Even in areas where freezing precipitation does not occur, rain combined with temperatures near the freezing point and fallen leaves can create slick driving conditions for which motorists must be prepared.
Because Thanksgiving is a very busy travel period, motorists should plan to need extra time to reach their destination and allow even more time if warranted by the weather forecast.
PennDOT reminds drivers that road conditions are available for more than 2,900 miles of Pennsylvania roadways as well as access to over 500 traffic cameras on its 511PA website: www.511PA.com. 511PA travel information is also available by calling 511. PennDOT urges motorists to avoid calling 511PA while driving. Motorists should safely pull off the road before calling the system, or check online for travel delays before leaving home.
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.
For more winter driving tips and information on how PennDOT treats winter storms, visit www.dot.state.pa.us/winter. Be ready, be wise and be safe this winter season.
