The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reminds Pennsylvanians of all ages to stay safe during the winter months, while driving or enjoying many outdoor activities. With variations in temperature and density of snow, outdoor activities and driving can become more dangerous than adults or children realize, leading to injury and even death.
PennDOT District 3 reminds every one of the following safety guidelines:
- People should stay away from the path of snowplows and snow blowers.
- Avoid having snowy or frosty windows. They should be free from obstruction so drivers have clear visibility.
- Children’s play areas should be away from roads, fences and water.
- Icy roads make it difficult to stop quickly. Take extra caution when crossing roads and stay out of the way of oncoming vehicles.
- Throw snowballs at safe targets, like trees or telephone poles, they should never be aimed at people or vehicles.
- Children should never play on roadside snow banks, nor should anyone stand beside a roadside snow bank where they are not visible to traffic. Snowplow drivers or other drivers may not see you.
- Always sled in familiar territory. Stay away from roads, creeks, rivers, railroads, parking lots, and other potential hazards, such as trees, picnic tables and swimming pools.
- While sledding, wear a helmet that meets bike helmet standards.
- Always sled in the daylight, never at night.
- Only use a sled that can be steered and is in good condition. Never ride a sled being pulled by a car, truck or ATV.
Drivers are reminded to drive with caution around downtown and more heavily populated areas, obey the posted speed limits and always buckle up.
Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway 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 website.
