Harrisburg, PA – Ahead of anticipated winter weather across Pennsylvania starting early Friday morning, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) are advising motorists to watch weather forecasts, avoid unnecessary travel if possible and to exercise caution when driving. PennDOT and PA Turnpike may implement speed and vehicle restrictions throughout the storm.

“With Friday being a heavy holiday travel day, it’s important that folks keep an eye on the weather when making travel plans, and be prepared to make adjustments, if necessary,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “Our 511PA.com website and mobile apps are a great way to get up-to-the-minute information on travel conditions across the state.”

Snow is expected in the north central, northeast and eastern regions of the state, with periods of ice in the northwest and central regions. Additionally, there is potential for prolonged periods of freezing rain, possibly starting as snow, through a large portion of the state.

“We really urge all drivers to exercise caution and avoid travel if the conditions warrant it,” said PA Turnpike CEO Mark Compton. “If that is not possible, please slow down, practice safe driving habits, and call *11 for any type of support while on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.”

The Pennsylvania Turnpike is projecting more than 7.4 million vehicles on the road this holiday period, with approximately 550,000 vehicles on the road Friday.

PennDOT and PA Turnpike crews will actively pre-treat roadways where necessary ahead of the storm to help prevent ice from forming a bond with the pavement during the early stages of a storm. However, salt does not resolve all risks, and drivers may encounter icy spots on the roadway. With freezing temperatures, roads that look wet may actually be icy, and extra caution is needed when approaching bridges and highway ramps where ice can form.

While avoiding or delaying unnecessary travel during winter storms is the safest choice, PennDOT offers this advice if motorists must travel and encounter snow squalls or blowing or drifting snow:

• Slow down gradually and drive at a speed that suits conditions.
• Turn on your headlights. If caught in a snow squall, turn on your hazard lights.
• Stay in your lane and increase your following distance.
• Stay alert, keep looking as far ahead as possible and be patient.
• Do not drive distracted; your full attention is required.
• Use your defroster and wipers.
• Keep windows and mirrors free of snow and ice.
• During whiteouts, come to a complete stop only when you can safely pull off the roadway.
• Do not stop in the flow of traffic since this could cause a chain-reaction collision.
• Do not pass a vehicle moving slowly or speed up to get away from a vehicle that is following too closely.
• Always buckle up and never drive impaired.
• Have an emergency kit handy. Here are some suggestions of what you could include in your emergency kit.

Last winter in Pennsylvania, preliminary data shows that there were 8,329 crashes, 29 fatalities, and 2,959 injuries on snowy, slushy or ice-covered roadways. Eleven of the people who died weren’t wearing a seat belt, and 17 of the fatalities were in crashes where a driver was going too fast for conditions and drove out of their lane.