PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — While many major roadways are clear, Monday night’s commute could be treacherous as temperatures remain below freezing. PennDOT advises drivers to take it slow and give yourself plenty of time.
Krys Johnson, PennDOT’s District 6 safety press officer, says last winter there were 151 crashes on snowy or icy roads in the state, resulting in three deaths and 55 injuries.
“This was attributed to speeding or aggressive driving,” Johnson said. “This is not the time to rush or engage in any type of risky behavior when you're on the road. Snow covered roads demand your full focus on safety. Pay attention to what you're doing.”
Surfaces can get slippery quickly, especially on bridges and ramps. Johnson says to be cautious of black ice patches, which are difficult to see, as they can look like a wet spot on the road.
“We have our equipment operators and Safety Patrol personnel around the clock for maintenance and roadway assistance, but be very mindful — even something that looks like it's been cleared could be very dangerous and very slippery,” she said.
And if you find yourself driving behind a plow, be sure to leave 10 car spaces of distance.
“For your driver’s safety and the safety of our plow operators, motorists: Please don't pass our trucks when they're plowing or spreading winter materials,” Johnson said.
For real-time updates on road conditions, restrictions and changes, visit 511PA.