PennDOT announces Tier 1 commercial vehicle travel restrictions for winter weather
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced a travel ban for certain commercial vehicles ahead of a winter weather storm.
Officials say a winter weather storm is expected to begin Wednesday evening in northwestern Pennsylvania and it will spread east on Thursday into Friday, bringing snow and strong winds.
PennDOT announced the following vehicle restrictions are planned to go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, November 27, in accordance with Tier 1 of the commonwealth’s weather event vehicle restriction plan.
- I-86, entire length
- I-90, entire length
Under Tier 1 restrictions, the following vehicles are not permitted on affected roadways:
- Tractors without trailers
- Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded enclosed trailers, open trailers or tank trailers
- Tractors towing unloaded or lightly loaded tandem trailers
- Enclosed unloaded or lightly loaded cargo delivery trucks/box trucks that meet the definition of a CMV
- Passenger vehicles (cars, SUVs, pickup trucks, etc.) towing trailers
- Recreational vehicles/motorhomes
- School buses, commercial buses and motor coaches
- Motorcycles
Additionally, speed limits will be restricted to 45 m.p.h. 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.
According to PennDOT, there were 8,329 crashes, 29 fatalities, and 2,959 injuries on snowy, slushy or ice-covered roadways in Pennsylvania last winter.
PennDOT reminds drivers that the law requires drivers to remove accumulated ice or snow from their vehicle, including the hood, trunk, and roof within 24 hours after the storm has ended. This applies to all vehicles, including commercial vehicles. Drivers in violation of the law are subject to a fine of $50. Additionally, drivers can be cited up to $1,500 if snow or ice is dislodged and strikes another vehicle or pedestrian causing death or serious injury.
For the latest travel information from PennDOT, be sure to check the 511PA traveler information website.