CLEARFIELD – Drivers in the region will encounter changing road and weather conditions this morning and should use caution as they commute.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) District 2 reminds drivers to check road and weather conditions before heading out and to drive accordingly, allowing for extra travel time. District 2 covers Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Juniata, McKean, Mifflin, and Potter counties.
Speed reductions of 45 miles per hour remain in place for Interstate 80, I-99, and Route 322 through the region. Drivers may encounter snowy and icy conditions along their normal routes.
If travel is necessary, slow down, increase your following distance, and be aware of roads that look wet but are actually frozen. Remove excess snow and ice from your vehicle before heading out and make sure your headlights are on when your wipers are on.
Although PennDOT crews continue to treat roadways, 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, 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, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 770 traffic cameras.
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 Web site.
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.
For more winter driving tips and information on how PennDOT treats winter storms, visit www.PennDOT.gov/winter.
Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/511PAStateCOLL.
