Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) recently offered ways the public can prepare for the winter season. Members of the public can access travel information on nearly 40,000 state-maintained roadway miles year-round at http://www.511PA.com, and during the winter, they can find plow-truck locations and details of when state-maintained roadways were last plowed. The information is provided via PennDOT's Automated Vehicle Location technology, which uses units in the department-owned and rented plow trucks to send a cellular signal showing a truck's location.

To help the public prepare for the season and share information about winter services, PennDOT offers operational information and traveler resources at http://www.penndot.gov/winter. The site also has a complete winter guide with detailed information about winter services in each of PennDOT's 11 engineering districts.

Motorists should take the time now to ensure their vehicles are ready for winter and to know their own winter driving skills. Drivers should stock their vehicles with items needed for their health, safety, and comfort. Motorists should prepare for potential wintry weather by checking that they have supplies in their car before heading out. These supplies should include food, water, blankets, extra gloves and hats, a cellphone charger, hand or foot warmers, a windshield brush and scraper, and any specialized items like medications or baby and pet supplies.

Drivers should also consider how to react to white-out conditions. In such conditions, drivers should slow down, not stop suddenly, activate their car's hazard lights, and extend their following distance to prevent dangerous multiple-vehicle crashes.

In addition, snow squalls can often produce dangerous and deadly travel hazards on otherwise clear winter days. The National Weather Service now issues Snow Squall Warnings that alert drivers of whiteout conditions and slippery roadways, so motorists can avoid traveling directly into these areas.

If motorists encounter snow- or ice-covered roads, they should slow down, increase their following distance, and avoid distractions.