PennDOT Reduces Speed Limit on Major Roadways in Southcentral PA

Tier 4 restrictions in place on interstates and other highways in the region

Harrisburg, PA – Due to the severity of the winter storm, PennDOT is temporarily reducing the speed limit on major roadways in the southcentral PennDOT District 8 region consisting of Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, and York counties.

PennDOT is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel, but those who must head out will see speed reduced to 45 mph on the following roads in the region:

Interstate 78
Interstate 81 from Maryland state line to the Schuylkill County line.
Interstate 283 entire length
Interstate 83, entire length
US-22/322 from I-81 to Millerstown
PA-581, entire length
US-15, entire length
PA-283, entire length
US-30 from PA-24 to PA-462
US-222, entire length

On roadways with speed restrictions, commercial vehicles not affected by restrictions on these or other roadways must move to the right lane.

In addition to the speed restrictions, vehicle restrictions are in effect in accordance with Tier 4 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan on interstates in the region. This includes:

Interstate 78
Interstate 81 from Maryland state line to the Schuylkill County line.
Interstate 283 entire length
Interstate 83, entire length
US-22/322 from I-81 to Millerstown
PA-283, entire length
PA-581, entire length

On roadways with Tier 4 restrictions in place, no commercial vehicles are permitted. Additionally, all school buses, commercial buses, motor coaches, motorcycles, RVs/motorhomes and passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers are not permitted on affected roadways while restrictions are in place.

Speed limits will be restricted to 45 mph on these roadways for all vehicles while the vehicle restrictions are in place, 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 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.

Although PennDOT crews have been treating roadways, the department’s primary goal is to keep roads passable, and they will not completely free of ice and snow. PennDOT will continue to treat roadways throughout the storm until precipitation stops and roads are clear.

While PennDOT recommends not traveling during winter storms, motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 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 1,200 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.

Motorists should always allow plenty of space when driving near plow trucks. Also, for their own safety and the safety of plow operators, motorists should never attempt to pass a truck while it is plowing or spreading winter materials.

PennDOT reminds motorists to pack an emergency kit for their vehicles. A basic kit should include non-perishable food, water, blanket, small shovel and warm clothes. When preparing an emergency kit, motorists should account for special needs of passengers such as baby food, pet supplies or medications and pack accordingly.

More information about how to prepare for any type of emergency, including free downloadable checklists of items to keep in your home, car, and at work, and specific information for people with access and functional needs or pets, is available on the Ready PA webpage.

For more winter driving tips and information on how PennDOT treats winter storms, visit www.PennDOT.pa.gov/winter.

Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry and York counties at PennDOT District 8.