Key Details of the Truck Ban

The truck ban will take effect as soon as PennDOT installs the necessary signage, which is expected in the coming months. South Pennsylvania Avenue has traditionally been a vital route for trucks heading to the Keystone Trade Center, located off U.S. Route 1 along the Delaware River. Now, truckers will need to seek alternative routes to reach their destinations.

Community Impact and Government Response

The northern segment of South Pennsylvania Avenue is primarily residential, while the southern portion runs through an industrial zone. Residents have expressed concerns about heavy truck traffic for more than a decade. In response, state and local officials successfully persuaded Google Maps to redirect traffic from the Keystone Trade Center, bypassing South Pennsylvania Avenue beyond Tyburn Road.

The truck ban covers a specific portion of South Pennsylvania Avenue, marked by a red line on official maps. Trucks will now be rerouted to U.S. Route 13, indicated by a blue line, for industrial park access. In Trenton, N.J., signs have been installed to direct truckers to U.S. Route 13.

Sen. Santarsiero emphasized, “When Morrisville Borough residents and officials first brought the issue of excessive truck traffic on South Pennsylvania Avenue to my attention, it was clear it would take time to find the right solution to balance the interests of residents and area businesses. The prohibition of trucks on S. Pennsylvania Avenue will bring relief to residents and ensure the structural integrity of the roadbed remains intact.”

Speed Limit Reductions and Road Reclassification

This truck ban is part of broader traffic management efforts. In November 2021, PennDOT reduced the speed limit on the industrial side of South Pennsylvania Avenue from 55 mph to 45 mph. In June 2022, the speed limit on the residential side was lowered from 30 mph to 25 mph.

In August 2022, PennDOT evaluated reclassifying the highway from an Intermodal Corridor to a Major Collector, addressing ongoing resident concerns. The reclassification was approved in September 2022.

Rep. Jim Prokopiak, D-Bucks, stated, “I applaud the action being taken to ban trucks on S. Pennsylvania Ave. This action will increase the quality of life and safety for Morrisville residents, especially those living near Pennsylvania Ave. This action is the result of a collaboration between state and local officials who all worked together to make Morrisville a better place to live.”

Source: Land Line

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This three-month initiative, running from June to August, aims to discourage unsafe driving behaviors that lead to accidents involving commercial motor vehicles. To ensure the success of the campaign, there will be extra patrols and proactive traffic enforcement along the entire stretch of the I-81 corridor.

The results from the campaign’s early enforcement efforts in June are impressive. Over a five-day period, the Pennsylvania State Police made a significant impact with 1,154 traffic stops on I-81. These stops resulted in a whopping 1,322 traffic citations and 1,119 written warnings. Additionally, 299 commercial vehicles were inspected to ensure safety compliance.

“Keeping the roads of the commonwealth safe is the core mission of the Pennsylvania State Police. And it’s not something we do alone,” Major Robert Krol, director of the PSP bureau of patrol, said during the event. “Together, we all work towards promoting safe vehicle operation by all operators of vehicles on the highways – commercial, noncommercial, motorcycles – it doesn’t matter what the vehicle is, we look for safety by all operators because they’re all interacting together and need to share the road appropriately.”

Statistics reveal that in the past five years alone, there have been a staggering 42 fatal crashes on I-81 in Pennsylvania. Even more alarming, there were a total of 2,025 “reportable crashes,” resulting in 779 injuries. According to Krol, many of these tragic incidents could have been avoided if drivers had simply exercised responsible driving practices.

“These vehicles often weigh up to 80,000 pounds or more, and their stopping distance is up to three times what the usual passenger vehicle is that we’re all used to driving on the highway,” Krol said. “Giving them the appropriate safe clearance when you pass is imperative to avoid potentially being struck if something comes to a stop ahead of you as you’re completing that passing maneuver.”

Bob Dolan, a seasoned road team driver for the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association, was present at the event. With 43 years of experience, he provided valuable insights on driving alongside commercial vehicles from a trucker’s perspective.

His top suggestions for motorists who want to safely share the road include:

• Avoid the “no zone” blind spots
• Allow room for proper stopping distance
• Be conscience of turning distances
• Be cautious around commercial vehicles in windy conditions

“By working together, practicing these safe driving tips and driving a vehicle without distractions, we can focus on the job at hand,” Dolan said. “And by doing it safely we can all return home safely every day.”

Pennsylvania has been granted $16.5 million this year to bolster its efforts in improving the safety of commercial motor vehicles. This funding comes from the prestigious Motor Carriers Safety Assistance Program, a federal grant program designed to reduce the frequency and severity of crashes and hazardous materials incidents involving commercial motor vehicles.

The program has allocated a substantial budget of $471 million for the year 2023, ensuring that states like Pennsylvania have the resources they need to enhance road safety. With this generous funding, Pennsylvania can implement effective initiatives and strategies to mitigate risks and protect motorists from potential accidents.

The Motor Carriers Safety Assistance Program recognizes the importance of preventing incidents and promoting the safe passage of commercial vehicles through comprehensive programs. By investing in these initiatives, Pennsylvania is committed to making its roads safer for everyone.

“This is a big deal. The fact that we have brought together our partners and folks from around the state in order to focus in on highway safety, and in particular the I-81 corridor which is such an important corridor for the movement of freight around the country,” said FMCSA Deputy Administrator Earl Adams Jr. “But it is also, unfortunately, a high-crash corridor. This initiative and effort is all designed to bring attention and awareness.”

According to Adams, over the last five years, there have been more than 5,000 crashes along the stretch of I-81 that runs through six states: New York, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. Of these states, Pennsylvania has the second highest number of crashes on this particular interstate.

Source: Land Line

The post Pennsylvania Launches Campaign to Promote Safe Driving with Commercial Vehicles appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The 77-hour course will cover classroom education, hands-on vehicle inspection training and behind-the-wheel skills testing.

Trucking companies Barnhart Transportation LLC and Team Harding were consulted in the development of the course that will be completed in 48 hours of classroom learning, followed by a written test administered at a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Driver License Center. Students will then undergo vehicle inspection training and 15 hours of behind-the-wheel road work.

The CDL courses are scheduled to begin on June 5th and July 17th, and the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act may provide financial assistance for those who qualify.

Contact the Behrend Office of Community and Workforce Programs at 814-898-6103 or behrend-ce@psu.edu to register or to learn about other training programs offered by Penn State Behrend.

Source: Land Line

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