PennDOT Announces New Law Penalties for Repeat DUI Offenses

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that a new Pennsylvania law has changed the grading of certain offenses for driving under the influence (DUI), adding more stringent penalties for these violations.

“This law makes significant changes to existing law that will ultimately increase the protection of all drivers by keeping repeat offenders from continuing to operate a vehicle while impaired by drugs or alcohol after being charged with a DUI,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “Repeating these offenses puts others at risk and these law changes reflect the severity of these acts to make our roads safer.”

The legislation created Act 59 of 2022 – referred to as “Deana’s Law” – which amends the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code by increasing the grading for certain DUI offenses, requiring consecutive sentencing for certain repeat DUI offenders, and imposing an 18-month driving privilege suspension for a DUI conviction graded as a felony of the second degree.

Under the new law, an individual charged with DUI (general impairment) who refuses a breath or chemical test or who is charged with DUI with a BAC of .16 or higher or a DUI involving controlled substances, and already has the following number of prior offenses, commits:

  • A felony of the third-degree for two prior offenses (previously two or more prior offenses); and
  • A felony of the second-degree for three or more prior offenses (previously a third-degree felony).

The felonies mentioned above are classified as follows:

  • A felony of the third degree is punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than seven years; and
  • A felony of the second degree is punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of not more than 10 years.    

Another change under this law is that a sentence imposed on an individual for a DUI offense who has two or more prior offenses shall be served consecutively to any other sentence the individual is serving or any other sentence imposed by the court, except for violations that are required to be merged. In addition, the law provides for a sentencing enhancement in cases where an individual has four or more prior DUI offenses. 

“Driving impaired puts everyone at risk, and repeat offenders disregard the risk they pose every time they get behind the wheel impaired,” said Major Robert Krol, director of the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Patrol. “This law enhances penalties for those individuals, and hopefully they will think twice before reoffending.”

For more information on this law change, please visit the Driver and Vehicle Services website. Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services.

Wolf Administration Reminds Motorists To Use Caution To Avoid Deer Collisions

Pennsylvania Acting Insurance Commissioner Michael Humphreys, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Yassmin Gramian, and State Police Commissioner Colonel Robert Evanchick today reminded drivers of the higher risk for deer-related crashes in the fall and that insurance companies cannot add a surcharge to auto insurance premiums for such crashes.

“Late fall and early winter is when drivers are most likely to have a deer-related crash, and dawn and dusk are peak times for deer activity,” said Humphreys. “Auto collisions involving deer or other wildlife are considered a not-at-fault accident under Pennsylvania law, meaning insurers cannot raise your premiums or add a surcharge to your premium following a deer-related crash, but this exclusion does not apply if your car does not come in contact with the animal. Any damage to your vehicle from a deer-related accident will fall under a policy’s comprehensive coverage.”

State Farm estimates there were over 1.9 million animal collision insurance claims in the U.S. between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022.

Pennsylvanians, according to State Farm, have a 1-in-57 chance of being involved in an animal-related crash, the sixth highest in the nation. PennDOT reported more than 5,700 deer-related crashes in 2021, up from almost 5,600 in 2020. The 2021 crashes resulted in 1,255 injuries and 13 fatalities.

“Drivers can help reduce the possibility of a deer-related crash by slowing down and using caution, particularly in areas where deer crossing signs are posted,” said Gramian. “It’s also important to educate young or inexperienced drivers on increased deer movement. Most importantly, your best defense in a crash is your seat belt. Always buckle up, every trip, every time.”

Drivers should be aware of the following tips from the American Automobile Association (AAA) to help prevent a crash or to reduce the damage from a collision:

  • Stay alert and pay attention to road signs while driving. Areas with high levels of deer activity will often have yellow, diamond-shaped signs with an image of a deer.
  • Use high beams when there is no oncoming traffic. Generally, the light reflecting off their eyes will reveal their location and flicking your high beams will often cause the animal to scurry away.
  • Deer rarely travel alone; if one is seen, there are likely more, so slow down and watch for other deer to appear.
  • Swerving away from animals can confuse them so they don’t know which way to run and can also put your car in the path of oncoming vehicles, so resist the urge to swerve. Instead, stay in your lane with both hands firmly on the wheel.
  • If the crash is imminent, drivers should remove their foot from the brake. During hard braking, the front end of a vehicle is pulled downward which can cause the animal to travel up over the hood toward the windshield. Letting off the brake can protect drivers from windshield strikes because the animal is more likely to be pushed to one side of the vehicle or over the top of the vehicle.
  • Always wear a seat belt. The chances of being injured when hitting an animal are much higher if the driver is not wearing a seatbelt.

“First and foremost, slow down. When you travel at a high speed, you reduce the time you have to identify the situation and respond to avoid the animal on the roadway,” said Evanchick. “If you are one of the many drivers who hit a deer, don’t panic. Immediately pull over to a safe area and assess the situation. If there are any injuries, your vehicle needs to be towed, or the roadway is blocked; contact 911 immediately.”

In Pennsylvania, two types of crashes must be reported to police: crashes that result in a vehicle being damaged to the degree that it needs to be towed from a scene and collisions that result in injury or death. Minor collisions that do not result in injury may be reported to police, but it is not legally required.

Drivers involved in any crash with another vehicle are required to exchange license and insurance information with involved parties and render aid when necessary.

To report a dead deer for removal from state-maintained roads, call the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation at 1-800-FIX-ROAD.

Consumers with questions about auto insurance may contact the Insurance Department Consumer Services Bureau by calling 1-877-881-6388 or at www.insurance.pa.gov.

Gov. Wolf Highlights Significant Infrastructure Investments

Governor Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today shared examples of how the first year of the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) – signed by President ​Joe Biden in November 2021 – is supporting transportation in Pennsylvania communities.

“The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is a game changer for Pennsylvania,” said Gov. Wolf. “This funding is already helping us speed up projects underway in Pennsylvania. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will help us fix our highways and bridges, improve rail transit, invest in broadband infrastructure, and meet our clean energy goals to fight the damage climate change is causing in Pennsylvania communities.

“Because of this money, we can keep Pennsylvanians safer, support more union jobs, and ensure that Pennsylvania’s infrastructure is ready to meet the needs of the 21st century.”

The BIL invests in various infrastructure types and all transportation modes. The BIL will bring $4 billion in new highway and bridge funds to Pennsylvania over the next five years, and nearly $600 million in the 2022 federal fiscal year alone. These investments are supporting and accelerating projects across Pennsylvania when, without it, cost and supply challenges would have resulted in fewer projects.

Using state and federal investments across the state, through September there were 611 projects underway or expected to start or go out for bid this year. In that same time, 282 construction contracts for highway, bridge, and other improvement projects were completed statewide through PennDOT’s private-sector partners. Additionally, repair, replacement, or preservation work on 425 bridges was put out for bid or completed by PennDOT forces. Nearly 4,000 roadway miles were improved by department or partner crews, including 1,065 miles of paving.

While the BIL is helping to fix roads and bridges, it is also supporting passenger and freight rail, aviation, ports, and electric and alternative fueling infrastructure development. To invest in and grow our transportation network and our communities, PennDOT is also expanding outreach and emphasis on equitable transportation and business opportunities, while continually innovating and finding efficiencies. Local governments and other entities eligible for new and expanded grant programs under the BIL can find information on the department’s page dedicated to these funding opportunities.

The Wolf Administration has made dozens of announcements on the important infrastructures projects that have been expedited, supported by or made possible this year thanks to the landmark BIL:

Roads, Bridges, and Communities

Rail, Transit, Ports, and Aviation

Electric Vehicles

Information about the state’s infrastructure and results the department is delivering for Pennsylvanians can be found at www.penndot.pa.gov/results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

PennDOT Provides Winter Driving Advice

With the first significant winter weather event forecasted, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), is providing motorists the below winter driving advice to consider if traveling is necessary. 

Winter Driving Advice

While PennDOT recommends not traveling during winter storms, we provide the following advice to those who need to drive in winter weather.

  • Carry a winter emergency travel kit. (including layers of clothing and blankets)
  • Listen to weather and travel advisories, but if you do not have to travel in bad weather don’t.
  • Keep your gas tank at least half full.
  • 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.
  • Carry a cellphone.
  • 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.
  • Remove 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 a person and causes death or injury, you can be ticketed.
  • Do not park or abandon your vehicle on snow emergency routes.
  • Do not pass or get between trucks plowing in a plow line (several trucks plowing side by side).
  • Make sure someone else knows where you are going and when you expect to arrive in case you run into an emergency and need help, someone will know where to look for you.
  • If you do become stranded, it’s better to stay with your vehicle until help arrives. Run the engine every hour or so, but make sure the tailpipe is clear and keep the downwind window cracked open.
  • Do not drink and drive, and always wear your seat belt.

Snow Squalls

Snow squalls are common and could create white out conditions which could virtually eliminate a driver’s visibility. They can also create treacherous travel conditions for drivers where roadways quickly become snow covered and slick.

Motorists always should be alert during the winter season for sudden squalls which can strike with little or no warning.

If motorists do encounter snow squalls while traveling, PennDOT offers this advice:

  • Slow down gradually and drive at a speed that suits conditions.
  • Turn your headlights on.
  • Stay in your lane.
  • Increase your following distance.
  • Stay alert, keep looking as far ahead as possible and be patient.
  • Reduce in-car distractions since your full attention is required.
  • Use defroster and wipers.
  • Turn four-way flashers on.
  • Keep windows and mirrors free of snow and ice.
  • During whiteouts, come to a complete stop only when you can safely get as far off the road as possible or when there is a safe area to do so.
  • Do not stop in the flow of traffic since this could cause a chain-reaction collision.
  • Do not pass a vehicle moving slowly or speed up to get away from a vehicle that is following too closely.
  • Always buckle up and never drink and drive.

While snow is falling, PennDOT will have crews treating roadways around the clock, but the department aims to keep the roads passable rather than completely free of ice and snow. PennDOT will continue to treat roadways through the storm until precipitation stops and roads are clear.

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 www.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.  

Wolf Administration Wraps Up 2022 Construction Season

PennDOT Engineering District 4 today held a media event to wrap up another busy construction season and note the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s assistance in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties.

“The 2022 construction season included the infusion of additional federal transportation investments and continued management of an infrastructure system covering 4,000 miles of roads and 2,100 bridges across six counties,” said PennDOT District 4 Executive Richard N. Roman, P.E. “Our design, construction and maintenance teams, along with many external partners, came together to find innovative solutions, executed most projects ahead of schedule, and kept the focus on safety for the traveling public and our employees at all times.”

These improvements include projects supported and accelerated by the BIL. In 2022 alone the BIL is bringing at least $49.6 million in funding to the District 4 region to be allocated by the department and its local Metropolitan and Rural Planning Organization (MPO/RPO) partners:

  • Lackawanna Luzerne Transportation Study (LLTS) MPO received at least $21.8 million;
  • Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) MPO received at least $12.1 million;
  • Northern Tier RPO received at least $13.9 million more; and
  • Wayne County received at least $1.8 million more.

The district opened bids for 42 contracts totaling nearly $298 million in value. Of those contracts, 26 were for roadway work and 16 were for bridge work.

More than 371 miles of paving and 599 miles of seal coating (oil and chip) were completed in the district in 2022.

Work was performed on 28 state-owned bridges by contractors. This included replacing or rehabilitating 20 bridges and preserving eight bridges. Additionally, department-force bridge crews worked on 118 bridges. The district has been able to stretch resources by using in-house capabilities for highway and bridge improvements. 

Below is a list by county of the major projects that were completed or under construction in the district in 2022. Some of the largest are multi-year projects that started prior to 2022.

Lackawanna County:

  • Resurfacing on Routes 247,1010, 2006, 2008, 3018, 3033 and 6011 in various municipalities. Construction will be completed in 2022. $4.3 million;
  • Arch rehabilitation project on Route 632 over Ackerly Creek in Dalton Borough. Construction was completed in 2022. $410,000;
  • Interstate 84 over the Lackawanna Railroad, Roaring Brook, and Route 435 in Dunmore Borough, Bridge Replacement and Interchange Reconfiguration Project. Construction will continue through 2026. $113 million;
  • I-84 in Roaring Brook Township, Resurfacing and Bridge Rehabilitation Project. Construction will continue through 2023. $18.9 million;
  • Route 6006 (Robert P. Casey Highway) in Various Municipalities, Concrete Pavement and Bridge Preservation Project. Construction will continue through 2024. $29.9 million;
  • Main Street (Local Project) in Dickson City Borough, Resurfacing and Signal Improvements Project. Construction will continue through 2023. $1.1 million;
  • Bridge rehabilitation on Route 107 over Tunkhannock Creek in Scott Township.  Construction will continue through 2023. $944,000;
  • Bridge preservation on I-81 and Route 1016 in various municipalities in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. Construction will be completed in 2022. $3.3 million;
  • Bridge rehabilitation on Route 8015 over Leggett’s Creek in South Abington Township.  Construction will be completed in 2022. $1.6 million;
  • Traffic signal project on Route 3013 in the City of Scranton. Construction will continue through 2023. $1.1 million;
  • Resurfacing, bridge preservation, and cable median barrier project on I-81 from Dickson City to the Susquehanna County Line. Construction will continue through 2024. $36.5 million;
  • Bridge rehabilitation on Route 407 over Lackawanna Lake in North Abington Township.  Construction will be completed in 2022. $1.9 million;
  • Bridge replacement on Route 307 over Green Run in Roaring Brook Township.  Construction will be completed in 2022. $1.9 million;
  • Bridge rehabilitation and superstructure replacement on Route 4005 over D&H Railroad in Benton Township. Construction will continue through 2023. $2.4 million;
  • Bridge preservation on I-81, Route 6006, Route 11, Route 348, Route 2004, and Route 435 in various municipalities in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. Construction will be completed in 2022. $5.7 million;
  • Bridge rehabilitation on Route 6006 over Racket Brook in the City of Carbondale. Construction will be completed in 2022. $796,000;
  • Resurfacing on Routes 435 and 1007 in various municipalities. Construction will be completed in 2022. $1.4 million;
  • Resurfacing on Routes 247 and 1017 in various municipalities. Construction will be completed in 2022. $4.3 million;
  • Bridge rehabilitation on Route 4023 over Spillway Griffin Pond Reservoir in South Abington Township. Construction will be completed in 2022. $281,000;
  • Resurfacing and signal improvements project, Main Street Corridor (Local Project) in Dickson City Borough. Construction will be completed in 2022. $3.4 million; and
  • Federal Aid Resurfacing and ADA Ramp Reconstruction Project on Routes 247, 1010, 2006, 2008, 3018, 3033 and 6011 Construction will be completed in 2022. $4.2 million.

Luzerne County:

  • Rehabilitation on Route 11 over Mill Creek Bridge and the Norfolk Southern, Reading, Northern, and Blue Mountain Railroad in the Borough of Dupont. Construction will continue through 2022. $1.9 million;
  • Roadway extension on Route 424 in Hazle Township. Construction will continue through 2024. $17 million;
  • Paving and surface treatment on Routes 18, 1013, 1015, 1029, 25, 27, 28, 2020, 2035, and 3030 in various municipalities. Construction will continue through 2023. $6.5 million;
  • Resurfacing on Routes 315, 1014, 1019, 2013, 2022, and 3021 in various municipalities. Construction was completed in 2022. $4.7 million;
  • Safety improvement project on Route 309 in Wilkes-Barre Township. Construction was completed in 2022. $1.3 million;
  • Bridge preservation on I-81, Route 11, and Route 309 in various municipalities. Construction was completed in 2022. $6.0 million;
  • Resurfacing on Route 315 in the Borough of Laflin, Plains Township, and Jenkins Township. Construction was completed in 2022. $1.9 million;
  • Resurfacing on Routes 11, 19, 92, and 309 in various municipalities. Construction will continue through 2023. $9.3 million;
  • Bridge preservation on I-81 in Hanover Township, Wilkes-Barre Township, and the Borough of Ashely. Construction will continue through 2023. $7.3 million;
  • Route 437 in Wright Township, Roadway Emergency Flood Project from Hurricane Ida. Construction was completed in 2022. $214,000;
  • Intersection improvement project at Route 2015 and Route 2004 in Plains Township. Construction will continue through 2023. $716,000;
  • Route 2007 in the City of Wilkes-Barre, Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project. Construction will continue through 2023. $1.4 million;
  • Railroad Bridge preservation on Route 29 over Susquehanna River in Plymouth Borough. Construction will continue through 2023. $4.7 million;
  • Surface improvement on Routes 315, 424, 1029, 1035, 2024, 2040, 2042, 2045, 2049, and 3017 in various municipalities. Construction will continue through 2023. $8.3 million;
  • Pipe replacement on Route 1043 and Route 1014 in Dallas Township. Construction was completed in 2022. $577,000;
  • Bridge replacement on Route 2035 over I-81 in Pittston Township. Construction will continue through 2024. $5.5 million;
  • Concrete paving repair on I-80 and I-81 in various municipalities. Construction will be completed in 2023. $5.4 million;
  • Route 3006 and Route 3008 in Conyngham Township, Base Repair Project. Construction will be completed in 2022. $2.3 million;
  • Route 93 and Route 309 in Sugarloaf Township, West Hazelton Borough, City of Hazleton, and Butler Township, Mircosurfacing Project. Construction was completed in 2022. $4.5 million;
  • Route 309 over Route 2022 in the City of Wilkes-Barre and Plains Township, Bridge Preservation Project. Construction will continue through 2023. $8.6 million;
  • Culvert replacement on Route 3007 over Little Wapwallopen Creek in Slocum Township. Construction will be completed in 2022. $1.2 million;
  • Bridge replacement on Route 92 over Lewis Creek in Exeter Township. Construction was completed in 2022. $805,000;
  • Culvert replacement on Route 1012 over a Branch of Harvey’s Creek Project in Jackson Township. Construction will continue through 2023. $12 million;
  • Culvert replacement on Route 1048 over Harvey’s Creek in Lehman Township. Construction was completed in 2022. $1 million;
  • Bridge replacement on Route 3014 over Nescopeck Creek in Nescopeck Township. Construction will continue through 2023. $2,7 million; and Culvert replacement on Route 1025 over Hicks Creek in Exeter Township. Construction was completed in 2022. $797,000.

Pike County

  • I-84 in Greene Township, Reconstruction and Bridge Replacement Project, Construction will continue through 2023. $103.8 million;
  • Reconstruction on Route 6 between Milford and Matamoras. Construction will be completed in 2022. $5.1 million;
  • Slope repair on Route 2002 in Delaware Township. Construction will be completed in 2022. $547,000;
  • Box culvert rehabilitation on Route 507 in Palmyra Township. Construction will be completed in 2022. $853,000;
  • Box culvert rehabilitation on Route 6 in Milford Township. Construction will be completed in 2022. $873,000;
  • Bridge replacement on Route 390 in Green Township. Construction will continue through 2023. $1.9 million;
  • Route 590 in Lackawaxen Township, High Friction Surface Treatment Project. Construction will continue through 2023. $298,000;
  • Resurfacing on Route 1014 in Lackawaxen Township. Construction will continue through 2023. $1 million;
  • Bridge replacement on Route 2003 in Lehman Township. Construction will continue through 2023. $814,000; and
  • I-84 in Matamoras Township, Roadway and Ramp Reconstruction Project. Construction will be completed in 2022. $7.1 million.

Wayne County

  • Bridge preservation on Route 507 in Dreher Township, Route 4003 in Dyberry Township and Route 3003 in Eaton Township. Construction was completed in 2022. $1 million;
  • Paving Route 6, Route 652 and Route 4005 in various municipalities. Construction was completed in 2022. $4.8 million;
  • Route 3017 in Salem Township, roadway emergency flood project. Construction was completed in 2022. $208,000;
  • Bridge replacement on Route 3034 in Lake Township. Construction will be completed in 2022. $795,000;
  • Resurfacing on Routes 6 and 1016 in various municipalities. Construction will be completed in 2022. $2.4 million;
  • Bridge restoration on Route 191 in Sterling Township. Construction will continue through 2023. $1 million; and
  • Slope reconstruction on Route 1006 in Berlin Township. Construction will be completed in 2022. $738,000.

Wyoming County

  • Resurfacing on Route 87 in various municipalities. Construction was completed in 2022. $3.8 million;
  • Resurfacing on Route 3001 in various municipalities. Construction was completed in 2022. $3.7 million;
  • Route 92 in Falls Township, Arch Culvert Rehabilitation Project. Construction will be completed in 2022. $1.6 million;
  • Roadway rehabilitation on Routes 29, 1011, 1013, and 2035 in various municipalities. Construction was completed in 2022. $2.1 million; and
  • Resurfacing on Routes 2008, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2021, 2023 and 2025 in various municipalities. Construction was completed in 2022. $3.6 million.

Wolf Administration Outlines Winter Preparations

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Acting Deputy Secretary for Highway Administration Mike Keiser and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) Chief Operating Officer Craig Shuey today held a media briefing to outline plans for winter services, highlight job opportunities, and discuss how the public can prepare for the season.

Keiser also outlined a PennDOT signage pilot project that will be used on parts of Interstates 80 and 81 this winter.

“Safety is our top priority, and motorists are our partners in making this season a safe one,” Keiser said. “We also have temporary and longer-term employment opportunities and welcome people to join the team in the many types of positions available.”

The public can access travel information on nearly 40,000 state-maintained roadway miles year-round at 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 made possible by PennDOT’s Automated Vehicle Location technology, which uses units in the over 2,600 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 on its winter web page. The site also has a complete winter guide with detailed information about winter services in each of PennDOT’s 11 engineering districts.

Each year, the PTC readies itself to confront the winter elements by properly preparing its entire fleet of trucks, plows and salt spreaders and training more than 425 licensed equipment operators so they are ready to activate 24/7 staffing this fall. Turnpike traffic and weather operations are also at the ready. The team’s focus is to fully understand the conditions on the roadway and to keep the Turnpike system as free of snow and ice as possible. Motorists should take the time now to assure their vehicles are ready for winter and to know their own winter driving skills.

“Our professional crews have worked hard to prepare for the upcoming winter season, and they are ready,” said Shuey. “We ask that all travelers on the Turnpike this winter do their part to be weather-ready for winter travel. Keeping your vehicle stocked for winter with whatever you might need for your health, safety and comfort should traffic come to a stop for an extended period of time can make a big difference in cold weather. We also ask that you consider how to react to extreme white-out conditions that can occur without notice. Be prepared to slow down, don’t panic stop, activate your hazard lights and extend your following distance to prevent dangerous multivehicle crashes.” 

In discussing traffic safety, Keiser explained that as part of a signage pilot project, the department will deploy variable speed limit, or VSL, signs – which quickly reduce speed limits when visibility or roadway conditions call for lower speeds – at 63 total locations:

  • 21 locations along I-80 in Clearfield (mile marker (MM) 100-133) and Clinton (MM 182-193) counties;
  • Six locations on I-80 in Clarion and Jefferson counties on the approaches to Emlenton Bridge (MM 42-45), North Fork Bridge (MM 78-81), and Kyle Lake Bridge (MM 92-95); and
  • 36 locations along I-81 from I-78 to I-80 in Lebanon (five locations), Luzerne (seven locations), and Schuylkill (24 locations) counties.

While the VSLs are in place through April, permanent speed limit signs will be covered, and the normal posted speed limit will be displayed on the VSL unless visibility or winter weather conditions call for slower speeds. When speed limits are reduced, a yellow light at the top and bottom of the VSL will be flashing to ensure motorists are aware of the change.

Earlier this year, the program was active in 12 locations along I-80 in Clearfield County. Preliminary results show this low-cost innovative solution effectively slowed traffic when needed and reduced or eliminated crashes. Locations were chosen based on crash and weather data, such as frequent wintry conditions and where crashes caused by whiteout conditions led to roadway closures of more than three hours.

With more than $212 million budgeted for this winter’s statewide operations, PennDOT deploys about 4,700 on-the-road workers, has more than 636,000 tons of salt on hand across the state and will take salt deliveries throughout the winter.

PennDOT is actively seeking nearly 700 temporary equipment operators statewide for the winter season to supplement the department’s full-time staff. Details on minimum requirements, such as possession of a CDL, as well as application information​, are available at www.employment.pa.gov. Through the same website, job seekers can apply for over 100 other non-operator winter positions such as diesel and construction equipment mechanics, welders, clerks and more.

If motorists encounter snow or ice-covered roads, they should slow down, increase their following distance and avoid distractions. Last winter in Pennsylvania, preliminary statewide data shows that there were 266 crashes resulting in two fatalities and 116 injuries on snowy, slushy or ice-covered roadways where aggressive-driving behaviors such as speeding or making careless lane changes were factors.


Motorists should prepare for potential wintry weather by ensuring they have supplies in their cars before heading out: food, water, blankets, extra gloves and hats, cell phone charger, hand or foot warmers, windshield brush and scraper, and any specialized items like medications or baby and pet supplies.

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” which alert drivers of whiteout conditions and slippery roadways, so motorists can avoid traveling directly into these dangerous squalls.

Wolf Administration Hosts Roundtable Discussion with Teens on Safe Driving

During a face-to-face forum at Red Land High School in Lewisberry today, representatives from the Pennsylvania departments of Transportation (PennDOT) and Education and Pennsylvania State Police, as well as local education and law enforcement representatives shared their collective driver safety knowledge with students from Red Land and Cedar Cliff high schools.

“Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death for teens,” said PennDOT Deputy Secretary for Driver and Vehicle Services Kurt Myers. “Parents and teachers have an important role to play in helping new drivers establish safe driving habits.”

The forum was held to call attention to teen driver safety and share important information directly with teen drivers during the nationwide observance of Teen Driver Safety Week October 16-22, and gave students an opportunity to directly ask questions of the panel.

From 2017 to 2021, there were 81,364 crashes involving at least one 16- to 19-year- old driver in Pennsylvania, resulting in 480 fatalities. 66 percent of those crashes involved a teen driver driving too fast for conditions (25,721 crashes), driver inexperience (8,707), driver distraction (12,411) or improper/careless turning (13,092). There was a total of 53,673 crashes with one or more of these factors. 

The risk of a crash involving any of these factors can be reduced through practice, limiting the number of passengers riding with a new driver, obeying all rules of the road, and using common sense.

“Setting a good example in the driver’s seat is one of the most important things you can do as a parent or caregiver of a teen driver,” said Colonel Robert Evanchick, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. “Positive examples include eliminating distractions in the vehicle, obeying the speed limit, never driving while impaired, and remembering to buckle up every time.”

PennDOT suggests that parents consider the following recommendations to help their children become safe and responsible drivers:

  • Set a good example with your own driving habits.
  • Have regular conversations with your teen about safe driving skills before they get their learner’s permit.
  • Establish a parent/teen driving contract.
  • Ride with your teen occasionally after they receive their license to monitor driving skills.
  • Enforce observance of speed limits and other rules of the road.
  • Strongly encourage your teen to avoid distractions behind the wheel, such as talking or texting on their cell phone.
  • Limit the number of passengers they have in their vehicle. Limit the number of passengers they have in their vehicle.  State law prohibits 16- and 17-year-olds with a junior license from driving with more than one unrelated passenger under the age of 18 years old for the first six months.  After the first six months, a junior driver shall not drive a vehicle with more than three unrelated passengers under 18 years old.
  • Limit dawn, dusk, and nighttime driving until your teen gains more experience and enforce a curfew. Remember, state law prohibits 16- and 17-year-olds with a junior license from driving between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM
  • Gradually increase the amount of time/distance your teen is permitted to drive.

“Driving a car requires experience, skill, and undivided attention – all factors that improve with repetition and training,” said Acting Department of Education Secretary Eric Hagarty. “Through driver education training programs, teenage drivers receive valuable instruction that prepares them to get behind the wheel, keeping themselves, their passengers, and fellow drivers safe on the road.”

As part of ongoing efforts to educate and assist teen drivers, PennDOT invites teens, their parents, teachers, and others to share video messages on Instagram about the personal costs of a crash, close calls, and advice on avoiding crashes. Anyone can join in this important conversation by using the hashtag #PATeenDriver.

PennDOT, KPB Name Students Chosen for Young Ambassadors Program

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful (KPB) today announced the slate of Young Ambassadors of Pennsylvania for 2022-2023. The new-to-Pennsylvania program seeks to build community stewards and civic leaders by inspiring, engaging, and empowering young Pennsylvanians to not only keep their communities clean and beautiful but also become ambassadors in their community for a shared vision of a clean and beautiful Pennsylvania.

The program, being administered by KPB, was recommended in the commonwealth’s litter action plan, announced by Governor Tom Wolf in November 2021. Students applied to the program and were chosen through a competitive application process.

The students have committed to eight months of service as an ambassador while representing and upholding the mission and values of KPB. From October through May 2023, they will also develop civic leadership skills and experience to champion and advocate for clean and beautiful communities across Pennsylvania.

2022-2023 Young Ambassadors of PA:

Allegheny County

  • Andy Forrester, Grade 11, Pine-Richland High School;
  • Cale Klaff, Grade 12, Pine-Richland High School;
  • Eli Majocha, Grade 12, Highlands High School; and
  • Luke Anderson, Grade 10, Pine Richland High School.

Bradford County: Corben Conklin, Grade 11, Athens Area High School.

Butler County: Carmen Skal, Grade 12, Butler Senior High School.

Cambria County

  • Jensen Westrick, Grade 12, Central Cambria High School; and
  • Maddie Ostinowsky, Grade 12, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School.

Chester County

  • Henri Brunel, Grade 12, Conestoga High School; and
  • Naomi Tzoanos, Grade 11, Owen J. Roberts High School.

Columbia County: Brady McNamara, Grade 11, Central Columbia High School.

Cumberland County

  • Ania Chandra, Grade 12, Cumberland Valley High School;
  • Morgan Stellfox, Grade 10, East Pennsboro Area School District; and
  • Zahra Anjum, Grade 11, Cumberland Valley Virtual Academy.

Dauphin County: Eleana Rijo, Grade 10, Susquehanna Township High School.

Delaware County

  • CJ Chen, Grade 11, Strath Haven High School; and
  • Sage Baker, Grade 10, Strath Haven High School.

Erie County

  • Emma Burkett, Grade 12, Northwestern High School;
  • Tanvi Udgiri, Grade 11, Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy; and
  • Gianna Stewart, Grade 11, Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy.

Indiana County 

  • Anna Layden, Grade 11, Purchase Line Junior Senior High School; and
  • Via Krimin, Grade 12, Indiana Area Senior High School.

Lackawanna County: Grace Beckish, Grade 10, North Pocono High School.

Lancaster County: Stella Blue Weaver, Grade 12, JP McCaskey High School.

Lehigh County

  • Adrian  Chavez, Grade 10, Nazareth Area High School; and
  • Siddhant Khandelwal, Grade 12, Parkland High School.

Lycoming County: Jaden Nixon, Grade 12, St. John Neumann Regional Academy.

Monroe County: Rese Schlameuss, Grade 11, East Stroudsburg High School South.

Montgomery County

  • Claudia Brach, Grade 12, Perkiomen Valley High School;
  • Ri Sringari, Grade 12, Perkiomen Valley High School; and
  • Rudra Patel, Grade 12, Souderton Area High School.

Philadelphia County: Minping Nie, Grade 11, Central High School.

Pike County:

  • Fawn Dutcher, Grade 10, East Stroudsburg High School North; and
  • Angelique Smalls, Grade 11, East Stroudsburg High School North.

Washington County: Abby Salzman, Grade 12, California Area High School.

PennDOT Invites Businesses To Prepare for Nevi Grant Program

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that resources are now available to help businesses and organizations to prepare in advance of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Notice of Funding Opportunity announcement, which is anticipated for late December/early January.

As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), PennDOT will receive and distribute $171.5 million in formula funds for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure over the next five years. The NEVI funding available for the first federal fiscal year is $25.4 million. NEVI grants will require the grantee to provide a minimum 20% match.

“The NEVI program will help Pennsylvania build out its EV charging infrastructure,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “As this is a new program for Pennsylvania and the nation at large, we want to give our partners and businesses as much opportunity as possible to prepare for application submission to support our efforts of transparency and equity.”

The NEVI grant funding supports the commonwealth and federal goal of expanding EV charging along the previously designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs) (list) and Interstate lookalikes. Pennsylvania has over 1,800 miles of AFCs. Per the guidance from U.S. DOT, NEVI formula funds must first be used to “build out” designated AFCs (no more than 50 miles between stations and less than 1 mile from an exit) and meet U.S. DOT minimum standards and requirements.

The NEVI Grant pre-announcement resources include information about applicant eligibility, eligible projects, and eligible and ineligible costs. In addition, PennDOT has created an interactive map identifying existing AFC-qualifying stations and has grouped interchanges based on priority through a gap analysis. An outline of the potential scoring criteria is also included listed in order of priority. Interested businesses and organizations are encouraged to review the ‘How to Get Ready’ section on PennDOT’s website for recommendations on how to prepare for the upcoming grant opening.

PennDOT will host an informational webinar about the 2022 NEVI Grant Program on Tuesday, November 1, 2022, from 10 AM to noon. This webinar is intended for all audiences interested in applying for PennDOT NEVI grant program funds. This webinar will provide an overview of the PennDOT NEVI grant program, as well as information on eligibility, types of projects funded, how to apply, eligible and non-eligible costs, and application best practices. 

In addition, NEVI stakeholder sessions are being held around the state. These sessions will include a presentation portion, followed by an opportunity to network, and expand professional connections and partnerships. Interested parties can register for a session of interest on PennDOT’s “Learn About NEVI” webpage.

To enhance traveler information for the growing number of EV drivers, the state’s traveler information system – 511PA – now also includes EV charging station locations as an option on its traffic map. Using data from the U.S. Department of Energy, the map shows locations across the state by connector type, including CCS, J1772, CHAdeMO, Tesla, and NEMA.

Wolf Administration Honors Students at PA School Bus Safety Poster Contest Ceremony

Today, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Director of the Bureau of Driver Licensing Kara Templeton joined the Pennsylvania State Police and school bus safety advocates to honor nine students for communicating important school bus safety messages through their submissions to this year’s School Bus Safety Poster Contest.

The students, in kindergarten through eighth grade, were recognized for their winning entries in the 2022 School Bus Safety Poster Contest. The theme for this year’s contest – “1 Bus + 1 Driver = A Big Impact on Education” – reminds everyone of the important dynamic between students and their school bus drivers, who navigate commonwealth roadways daily to deliver students to school and home without incident.

“By using their talent and creativity, these young artists help us share important safety messages through their creations,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “This year’s creations reinforce the importance of school bus drivers in delivering students to and from school safely and the role they play in students’ well-being every day.”

This year’s winners were chosen from over 400 student entries from schools across Pennsylvania. The first-place entries will be moved on to the national competition, which will be judged at the end of this month.

2022 School Bus Safety Poster Contest Winners include:

Kindergarten – Grade 2

1st Place: Lipi Kairi, Mt. Lebanon Montessori School, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County

2nd Place: Ananya Sri Boddupalli, Franklin Elementary School, Sewickley, Allegheny County

3rd Place: Luke Dye, Mars Area Primary Center, Mars, Butler County

Grades 3-5

1st Place: Kashish Bhargava, Shamona Creek Elementary School, Downingtown, Chester County

2nd Place: Avery Herlocher, Sugar Valley Rural Charter School, Loganton, Clinton County

3rd Place: Abbey Hines, All Saints Catholic School, Cresson, Cambria County

Grades 6-8

1st Place: Razayah Keller, Brockway Area Jr/Sr High School, Brockway, Jefferson County

2nd Place: Peyton Seaman, East Juniata High School, McAlisterville, Juniata County

3rd Place: Kaelyn Walter, East Juniata High School, McAlisterville, Juniata County

There were no qualifying entries submitted this year for the Special Education and Computer Aided categories.

Templeton and Sgt. Michael Pavelko, Division Supervisor for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Division of the Bureau of Patrol for the Pennsylvania State Police, presented certificates and small gifts provided by the Pennsylvania School Bus Association to the students in recognition of their efforts to help to communicate this important safety message.

Historically, the ceremonies are also used to recognize the winners of the statewide and international school bus driver competitions, however, neither competition was held this year. These two events have held special significance in the celebration of this important safety observance, but their absence does not diminish the important message of protecting students from potential harm as they commute daily to and from school.

“Bus drivers do an extraordinary job every day ensuring the safety of our children as they travel to and from school,” said Sgt. Pavelko. “Their continuing dedication to the safe delivery of their precious cargo reinforces the trust parents have in them.”