PennDOT, State Police Urge Motorists to Travel Safely During Labor Day Holiday

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 31, 2006 -- With the unofficial end of summer approaching, PennDOT is cautioning motorists to avoid drinking and driving and drive safely in work zones during the Labor Day weekend.

"We want everyone to enjoy this last summer holiday weekend in a safe and responsible manner," said PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E. "We are urging motorists to avoid high-risk behaviors such as speeding and drinking and driving, while also reminding them to always wear their seat belts."

According to PennDOT, 940 crashes occurred during the Labor Day driving period last year, which ran from 6 p.m. Friday to 11:59 p.m. on Monday. In those crashes, 864 people suffered injuries and 20 people were killed.

In an effort to improve safety on the roadways, the Pennsylvania State Police will be conducting checkpoints and roving patrols. During last year's holiday driving period, state police issued 5,737 speeding citations, cited 167 people for not wearing seat belts, and issued citations to 31 people for failing to secure children in child safety seats. They also arrested 226 people for driving under the influence.

"The Pennsylvania State Police are working harder than ever to take intoxicated drivers off the road and make Pennsylvania's highways safer for all travelers," said Colonel Jeffrey B. Miller. "We're using education, training and continued high levels of enforcement to get the job done."

Along with drunk driving, motorists are being urged to drive safely in highway work zones. Drivers are reminded to turn on their headlights in active work zones and to avoid speeding and tailgating, which are two of the major causes of work-zone accidents. PennDOT reported that fatalities in work zones doubled in 2005, as 30 people were tragically killed in work zone-related crashes, compared to 15 in 2004.

While PennDOT will attempt to remove lane restrictions where possible, motorists may still have to negotiate lane restrictions in larger projects. Motorists can log on to PennDOT's Web site at http://www.dot.state.pa.us/ and click on "Highway Construction Map" for information regarding ongoing projects on interstates and other high-volume highways. To report highway maintenance concerns, motorists can call 1-800-FIX-ROAD (1-800-349-7623) toll free from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday thru Friday.

  PennDOT offers the following safe driving tips:
   --  Never drink and drive;
   --  Always wear a seat belt;
   --  Pay full attention to the road whenever you get behind the wheel.
       Avoid distractions;
   --  Always signal your intentions in advance. Use the proper turn
       signals;
   --  Use headlights during times of low visibility; and
   --  When traveling long distances, take frequent breaks and rotate
       drivers to reduce fatigue.

  

EDITOR'S NOTE: To help motorists plan their travel, PennDOT prepared the attached "Labor Day Travel Advisory," which lists restrictions on interstates across the Commonwealth.

                        LABOR DAY TRAVEL ADVISORY

                               Interstates

   Interstate 79

   Allegheny County - single lane closures from the I-279 split to Neville
   Island Bridge (Exit 65) and shifted traffic patterns (maintaining two
   lanes in each direction) from Parkway West interchange (Exit 59 A&B) to
   Bridgeville (Exit 54).

   Interstate 80

   Centre County - from Bellefonte (Exit 161) and Snow Shoe (Exit 147), one
   lane each direction between mile-marker 160 and 158, climbing lanes for
   westbound traffic at mile marker 158, 10-foot width restriction for
   oversize loads.

   Clearfield County -- Sandy, Union, Pine, and Lawrence townships, variable
   work zone both east and westbound, westbound zone between mile markers
   108 and 105, eastbound zone between mile markers 101 and 106, lane shifts
   may cause traffic delays and back-ups;

   Columbia County -- from mile marker 247 to mile marker 243, westbound
   traffic is reduced to one lane for roadway reconstruction east of
   Mifflinville, expect delays;

   Montour County -- from the Danville Interchange (Exit 224), westbound
   traffic is reduced to one lane for reconstruction to mile marker 220,
   westbound on-ramp at Danville is closed with detour in place; delays are
   possible;

   Union County -- from the Mile Run Interchange (Exit 199), east to mile
   marker 207, eastbound traffic is reduced to one lane during roadway
   reconstruction;

   Interstate 83

   York County - Shifted traffic lanes in the vicinity of Leader Heights
   (Exit 14).

   Interstate 99

   Blair County - Traffic has single lane closures between Tyrone (Exit 48)
   and Bald Eagle (Exit 51) in each direction;

   Interstate 180

   Lycoming County -- from west of the Fairfield Road Interchange (Exit 20)
   to the Route 87 Interchange (Exit 21), westbound lanes are reduced to one
   lane for traffic while reconstruction takes place.