Feb 7, 2008 3 min read

This time of year the weather can change seemingly without warning. The roadways can quickly become snow covered and coated with ice. This with a combination of speeding drivers and distracted drivers can make for a dangerous commute. And that is exactly what happened on January 22 when the PA State Police were called to investigate a 2 vehicle crash on I-79 in Allegheny County Where several children who were buckled into child safety seats were injured, one of them fatally.

The State Police would like to remind drivers that when there is a change in the weather you will need to change the way you operate your vehicle. You should slow down, leave enough space between you and other vehicles and you should limit the use of the cell phone. If you do not have to travel the roadways we ask that you don’t until your roadways have been treated. You staying home or delaying your travels will give your road work crews an opportunity to treat and plow the roadways. It will also reduce your chances of being involved in a crash or a back up.

If you are involved in a crash were no one is injured and the vehicles are drivable all that is needed is to move to the berm of the roadway or a safe location, exchange information and be on your way. There is no need to contact the police if you are involved in such a crash, NON-REPORTABLE CRASH. If someone is injured or the vehicles can not be driven from the scene then the Police need to be notified, REPORTABLE CRASH.

If you have to travel when the roads or weather is bad remember to Inspect your vehicle before you venture out, check, tires, battery, defroster, heater, windshield wipers, windshield washer fluid, anti-freeze, oil level, lights, exhaust system and brakes.

Also take time to remove all ice and snow from your vehicle before you drive and be sure your headlights are clean, they need to be lighted at all times when the windshield wipers are turned on to comply with the new law.

Also Steer Clear, a new law, when motorists are approaching locations where police are making traffic stops, construction crews are working on highways, or tow trucks are responding to disabled vehicles, requires drivers to move to a lane that is not immediately adjacent to an emergency response area. If drivers cannot move over because of traffic or other conditions, they must proceed at a speed that is, reasonable and prudent,

During winter storms Troopers generally are very busy responding to crashes. Stay with your vehicle if you are in a crash or if you are stranded. During blizzards Troopers search the roads for stranded vehicles.

Also police recommend that you should use the 4-way flasher when your vehicle is stopped on or along the highway and when traveling below the minimum 40 mph speed limit on interstate highways or 25 mph. on non-interstate highways.

If stranded in your vehicle during a blizzard, stay in the vehicle and run the engine for about 10 minutes each hour. Be sure to clear the exhaust pipe of snow to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

Store an emergency driving kit inside your vehicle

containing these items:

Flashlight and extra batteries

First aid kit with pocket knife

Necessary medications

Blankets

Sleeping bags

Extra newspapers for insulation

Plastic bags for sanitation

Matches

Extra mittens hat and socks

Small bag of sand for traction assistance

Small shovel

Booster cables

Small tools (pliers, wrench and screwdriver)

Tire chains

Brightly colored cloth (to be used as a marker)

Canned fruit or nuts

Non-electric can opener

Bottled water

And remember to watch weather reports to plan accordingly.