Pa. Turnpike Urges Would-Be Travelers to Reconsider Plans during Ice Storm

HARRISBURG, PA (02/01/2011)(readMedia)-- Sleet and freezing rain are expected to fall across parts of Pennsylvania today and tomorrow, intensifying tonight and depositing an estimated half inch of ice or more in some areas before temperatures rise above the freezing mark tomorrow morning. So the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission offers vital information about travel on the state's toll-road system.

The most important advice: If the weather looks questionable, call or go online to find out what's happening on the Turnpike before you leave. Then, if conditions warrant, reconsider travel plans. In view of the forecast, motorists in the effected areas are strongly encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel until conditions improve. The ice could bring down trees and power lines, making highway travel even riskier.

If you must drive, know that getting there will probably take much longer than on dry roads, and plan ahead to take your time and get there safely. Buckle up and reduce your speed. In some areas, you may need to drive well below the posted speed limit if conditions mandate. Don't tailgate and remember to turn on headlights to see and be seen; state law requires headlight use whenever windshield wipers are on.

If you do decide to hit the road, pack a winter survival kit including these items:

• Basic toolkit
• Blanket
• Bottled water
• Charged cell phone and extra batteries
• Extra baby supplies
• Extra warm clothing
• Flares or neon distress flags
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• Jumper cables
• Matches and candle
• Nonperishable, high-energy snacks
• Pet food (if traveling with pets)
• Shovel
• Small bag of sand, cat littler or gravel for traction
• Tow chain or strap

The Turnpike's snow-removal teams are plowing and salting in certain areas as needed, and the roadway is presently wet in most areas with pockets of precipitation. The Turnpike's Traffic Operations Center continues to monitor traffic and weather across the state: If conditions warrant, the commission may choose to reduce the speed limit to 45 mph on all or parts of the system and restrict trucks to the right lane only.

The best way to check Turnpike conditions and restrictions is the Turnpike Roadway Information Program, or "TRIP." TRIP uses live data and video feeds from the Traffic Operations Center together with on-scene reports from roadway crews, police and emergency responders and rapidly disseminates alerts via the following methods:

• Web Map - The Interactive Travel Map (www.paturnpike.com/webmap) delivers a quick view of conditions across the entire Turnpike system; it features live web cams, at-a-glance traffic flow status, weather conditions, audio travel advisories and more.
• Message Boards - The Turnpike's moving, traffic-alert scroll appears across the top of our home page (paturnpike.com) and on the electronic message boards inside Pa. Turnpike service plazas, keeping motorists informed about what's happening on the road.
• Travel & Toll-Rate Hotline - Hear up-to-date travel information or calculate the toll charge for your trip by calling 866.976.TRIP (or 866.976.8747). This toll-free number gives audio advisories for the region in which you are traveling, including delays and closures due to construction, accidents or weather.
• Preferred Traveler - Sign up to become a Preferred Traveler to receive route-specific traffic, weather and construction alerts via e-mail or text. Get alerts only for the part of the Turnpike you drive regularly. You decide the days and hours that messages are sent when you set up a free Preferred Traveler account at www.paturnpike.com/member.
• Highway Advisory Radio 1640 AM - When traveling on or approaching the Pennsylvania Turnpike, motorists can tune to radio station 1640 AM to hear Turnpike-specific alerts. Transmitters broadcast a signal from every Turnpike toll plaza within a range of approximately two miles, so make it a habit to tune in as you get near an interchange.

In case of an accident, breakdown or medical emergency, motorists should dial *11 (or 1-800-332-3880) to receive aid on the Pa. Turnpike. This call puts you in direct contact with a Traffic Operations Center dispatcher. When you call, be prepared to give your milepost location and direction of travel (i.e., eastbound or westbound). In the event of a minor accident, make sure the vehicle is moved out of active travel lanes and all people are kept away from moving traffic. Secondary crashes are often caused by traffic approaching an accident scene. As an alternative, utilize the yellow emergency call boxes located on the shoulder at one-mile intervals to get help.