As we enter the winter season, TMA Bucks is promoting safety on the roads with a set of winter driving tips for commuters. With the potential hazards that come with snow, ice and colder temperatures, these guidelines aim to ensure that motorists navigate winter roads safely throughout Bucks County.
The next few months can quickly bring unexpected poor driving conditions at any moment, so residents should make sure that their vehicles are ready for ice and snow. TMA Bucks recommends that commuters prioritize the following winter driving safety tips to ensure a secure and stress-free travel season.
First and foremost, drivers should have a mechanic check the brakes, battery, hoses and belts on their vehicles. It’s also recommended that they pack a winter emergency kit in the vehicle to help in preparations. This kit should include items like a flashlight and batteries, jumper cables, ice scraper, small shovel, gloves, blanket and anything else you may need to accommodate family traveling with you.
“It is really important to use good judgment if inclement weather is on the way,” said TMA Bucks Community Traffic Safety Program manager Carly Wible. “If you have no reason to drive on snow-covered or icy roads, then you should absolutely eliminate all unnecessary travel. Telecommute if you are able to so PennDOT and local municipal public works departments can have the space to more easily perform their road-treatment duties for commuters that need to be out on the roads, like first responders and emergency personnel. If you have to travel and be out during winter weather, there are several safety tips and information you should know.”
- Remove all ice and snow from windows, mirrors and all vehicle lights before you drive and as often as needed.
- Remove snow and ice from the hood and roof of your vehicle. State law states that if snow or ice from your vehicle strikes a vehicle or person and causes death or injury, you can be ticketed.
- Slow down and increase following distance.
- Avoid sudden stops and starts.
- Beware of roads that may look wet, but are actually frozen, often referred to as “black ice.”
- Use extra caution on bridges and ramps, where ice can often form without warning.
- Do not use cruise control while driving on snow-covered roads.
- State law requires you to turn on your headlights when your wipers are on.
- Use your low beams in particularly bad weather, especially in cases of heavy or blowing snow.
- Do not pass or get between trucks plowing in a plow line (several trucks plowing side by side).
“Please remember not all highways in Bucks County are state highways and several are municipally-owned and are treated and plowed by the borough or township,” said Wible. “It is understandable it might take them a bit longer to get these roads cleared so please be patient. Bucks County also has several rural, two-lane highways, so please be understanding of this and allow PennDOT the necessary time to reach these roads.”
Most Bucks County municipalities have snow emergency policies. Be aware of your township/borough’s policy before any winter storms and comply to help keep the roads clear and safe.
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 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 1,000 traffic cameras.
Visit TMAbucks.com for more information.
