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Getting ready

Key to safe driving is preparation and knowing the risks

LEWISTOWN — “Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow,” is part of the unofficial motto of the United States Postal Service, however, many people use this when talking about winter travel.

Preparation is a key aspect for residents and drivers to navigate winter roads. Weather conditions are unexpected at times, especially during longer trips, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. In Mifflin and Juniata counties, drivers can see changes in road conditions from one township to another, or from the base of a mountain to the top.

Because weather and road conditions are subject to unexpected changes, PennDOT encourages drivers to be prepared, particularly when it comes to basic vehicle maintenance. This maintenance can include: checking fluid levels, brakes, tires, making sure all lights are working, etc. While having good vehicle maintenance is a key part of being prepared, PennDOT encourages drivers to limit all unnecessary travel.

PennDOT has budgeted approximately $220 million for the 94,000 miles of road it maintains. These snow lane miles are calculated by the miles of road multiplied by the number of lanes, this means each one-mile of a four lane road would have four snow lane miles. This encompasses approximately 40,000 miles of state roads and 25,000 bridges. To help combat this massive undertaking, PennDOT awards municipal contracts, which allows municipalities to clear state roads in their jurisdiction. For example, portions of Lewistown Borough are maintained by the borough streets department even though they are state roads.

Before the storm

Prior to the start of the winter weather season and before storms arrive, PennDOT holds web conferences on a statewide level for staff, state police and emergency officials to discuss preparations and the possible need to share resources during a winter storm event. Roads may be pre-treated with a salt brine before the precipitation events start to help prevent precipitation from sticking to the roads.

Know your risk

In general a winter storm occurs when there is precipitation and a low enough temperature that rain turns to snow, sleet and/or ice. There are five different classifications of watches or warnings that the National Weather Service uses describe winter weather.

A winter weather advisory occurs when conditions are expected to cause major inconveniences and be hazardous. Winter storm watches are publicized when a storm is possible in the area, and issues like heavy snow and/or ice could affect the area in uncertain timing. In contrast, a winter storm warning alerts drivers and residents that a storm is occurring or will be occurring soon. The NWS also issues blizzard warnings when winds are sustained or have consistent gusts of wind at 35 mph with considerable amounts of snow falling or blowing around. A frost or freeze warning is also issued when temperatures reach below freezing or are expected to reach below freezing.

During the storm

While snow, sleet and/or freezing rain is falling, roads will not necessarily be free of ice or snow. According to PennDOT, there is a reason behind that. If snow is falling at one-inch per hour and a truck takes three hours to return to the start of a route, three-inches of snow has fallen. Also since PennDOT and other plow trucks use the same roads as everyone else, the amount of traffic can increase the time it takes to clear the roads. Keeping off the roads not only keeps people safe, but allows PennDOT to clear the roads in a timely manner.

The major factors that determine what materials are used on a road are traffic and temperature. Salt is more effective on higher traffic roads, like state Route 322, as the increased traffic volumes help to crush and spread the salt across the road. Also, according to PennDOT, as the temperatures fall below 25 degrees salt becomes less effective. So as the temperatures drop, trucks start using a mixture of salt and anti-skid. However, on lower traffic roads, like Back Maitland or Licking Creek, the salt/anti-skid mixture is mostly applied to hills, bridges or intersections. Anti-icing is usually not performed on lower traffic roads below 15 degrees as snow is typically dryer and blows easily over the road surface.

Driving and emergencies

Sometimes staying off the road is difficult or impossible, especially if weather hits while already on the road or during work hours.

In this case, PennDOT offers some of these tips for when driving has to happen:

¯ Keep the gas tank at least half full

¯ Slow down, increase following distance and avoid sudden stops and starts

¯ Beware of “wet” roads as it could be black ice

¯ Carry a cell phone

¯ Use extra caution on bridges and ramps

PennDOT also encourages drivers to keep an emergency kit in each vehicle. This kit can include:

¯ Flashlight with batteries

¯ Battery operated radio

¯ First aid supplies

¯ Extra warm clothing, gloves and a blanket

¯ Anything else that may be needed like medicine, baby supplies or pet food

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