Due to the ice storm and wintry mix of freezing rain, sleet, and light snow impacting central and south-central Pennsylvania overnight and into Tuesday morning, many schools in the region have announced a delayed start for March 3. In addition, the Pennsyvania Department of Transportation has instituted road restrictions.
These precautionary measures aim to ensure safer travel amid potential slick roads and ice accumulation. Please check back for the latest updates, as conditions and any further changes will be closely monitored. Stay safe and bundle up!
The following school districts and institutions have announced changes to their schedule:
- Washington County Public Schools: two-hour delay
- Waynesboro Area School District: two-hour delay
- Greencastle-Antrim School District: two-hour delay
- Chambersburg Area School District: two-hour delay
- Franklin County Career and Technology Center: two-hour delay
- Fairfield Area School District: two-hour delay
Shippensburg University will open at 10 am.
PennDOT has lifted the speed limit on major routes in the south central PennDOT District 8 region consisting of Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York counties.
In addition to the speed restrictions, the following vehicle restriction is in effect in District 8 in accordance with Tier 1 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan on Interstate 81 from Interstate 78 to the Schuylkill County line. This restriction currently extends beyond the District 8 boundaries to the New York state line.
Under Tier 1 restrictions, the following vehicles are not permitted on affected roadways:
- Tractors without trailers.
- Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded enclosed trailers, open trailers or tank trailers.
- Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded tandem trailers.
- Enclosed unloaded or lightly loaded cargo delivery trucks/box trucks that meet the definition of a CMV.
- Passenger vehicles (cars, SUV’s, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers.
- Recreational vehicles/motorhomes.
- School buses, commercial buses and motor coaches without available chains or another approved alternate traction device on board.
- Motorcycles.
Speed limits will be restricted to 45 mph on these roadways for all vehicles when conditions warrant, and commercial vehicles not affected by the restrictions must move to the right lane. Additional speed restrictions on other interstates could be added depending on changing conditions.
While avoiding or delaying unnecessary travel during winter storms is the safest choice, PennDOT offers this advice if drivers 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.
For more information on safe winter travel, an emergency kit checklist and information on PennDOT’s winter operations including a video, readers may visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov/winter. Additional winter driving and other highway safety information is available at www.PennDOT.pa.gov/safety.
