HARRISBURG, Pa. — Editor's note: The video above is from Jan. 5.
PennDOT has temporarily reduced the speed limit on all major south-central Pa. highways due to the severity of a winter storm on Saturday.
Although they strongly discourage any unnecessary travel, anyone who must head out is urged to take precautions.
All major highways in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, and York Counties will have speed limits reduced to 45 mph.
- Interstates 81, 83, and 283
- Routes 15, 22, 30, 222, 283, 322, and 581.
Commercial vehicles not affected by restrictions on these or other roadways must move to the right lane on roadways with speed restrictions.
Although PennDOT crews have been treating roadways, the department’s primary goal is to keep roads passable, not completely free of ice and snow. PennDOT will 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 1,000 traffic cameras.
511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.
The department also asks motorists to allow plenty of space when driving near plow trucks. Also, for their 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. When preparing an emergency kit, motorists should account for the special needs of passengers such as baby food, pet supplies or medications and pack accordingly.
More information about how to prepare for any type of emergency, including free downloadable checklists of items to keep in your home, car, and at work, and specific information for people with access and functional needs or pets, is available on the Ready PA webpage.
For more winter driving tips and information on how PennDOT treats winter storms, visit www.PennDOT.gov/winter.