Road Watch for Nov. 23-------

With millions of motorists planning to travel for the Thanksgiving Day holiday, PennDOT is launching Operation Safe Holiday to improve highway safety.
“I am calling on each and every motorist on our highways to drive safely this holiday season,” said PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler.
“Although we can all be distracted by the hustle and bustle of the season, please remember these important driving tips: buckle up, slow down and never drive impaired,” he said.
As part of the operation, police will use checkpoints and roving patrols in addition to regular traffic safety patrols. Departments may also introduce BOLT operations, which is when a safety checkpoint later turns into a sobriety checkpoint at the same location.
There were 4,925 crashes resulting in 46 fatalities during the Thanksgiving holiday period last year, PennDOT reported.
The official driving period includes the weekends before and after the holiday.
To improve their safety on the highway, PennDOT encourages motorists to make sure they are well-rested and alert. During long trips, it is a good idea to rotate drivers and take frequent breaks.
Drivers should also give their full attention to the road and avoid distractions – that also means you, handheld cell-phone yakkers.
PennDOT also reminds motorists that weather and road conditions can change rapidly this time of year – like that pre-winter snowfall that hit the county Friday morning – and motorists need to be alert.
Motorists should check the forecast before traveling and make sure their vehicles are equipped with a winter emergency kit. More information on road conditions and links to weather forecasts can be found at www.dot.state.pa.us under “Travel Information.”
DUI ASSOCIATION
The Pennsylvania DUI Association reminds motorists that during last year’s holiday season – from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day – about 1,000 people nationwide were killed in traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcyclist with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent or higher.
Closer to home, 32 Pennsylvanians were killed in 875 impaired driving-related crashes during the same time period.
It is important for drivers to be responsible and remember that “Drunk Driving? Over the limit? Under arrest!” slogan before getting caught up in the hustle-bustle of the holiday.
The Pennsylvania DUI Association is joing with national, state and local highway safety officials to remind drivers of some tips to enjoy a safe and festive holiday.
BULLET Plan a safe way home before the festivities begin.
BULLET Before drinking, designate a sober driver and give the person your car keys.
BULLET If you are hosting an office party, make arrangements for your employees to get home safely.
BULLET If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transit so you are sure to get home safely.
BULLET If you see a drunk driver on the road, use common sense and don’t hesitate to contact local law enforcement.
BULLET If you know someone who is about to drive while impaired, take their car keys and help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going.
For more information, visit www.padui.org or www.StopImpairedDriving.org.
TRIP TIPS
Many Pennsylvanians will depart for trips of 50 miles or more from home over this week – the Wednesday afternoon before Thanksgiving Day is typically the most difficult travel day of the year.
Advance planning is the key to minimizing hassles during this busy travel time, says AAA Mid-Atlantic.
BULLET Plan your travel times in advance – leave early, stay late, travel at off-periods. Get proper sleep the night before a long drive.
BULLET Have a backup route in the event of traffic congestion, accidents, construction or weather-related closures/delays.
BULLET Check the weather forecast. Knowing what to expect keeps you from packing unnecessary items.
BULLET Check your vehicle’s tires to make sure they’re properly inflated, fluids, belts, hoses and battery.
BULLET Pack an emergency car kit with a shovel, jumper cables, ice scraper/brush, wipe fluid/de-icer, kitty litter or salt for traction, first aid kit, flashlight with good batteries, blanket, snacks, bottled water and fully charged cell phone.
SOUTH STREET BRIDGE
In anticipation of added congestion on Philadelphia streets due to the South Street Bridge Rehabilitation Project, SEPTA has developed a special bus routing for Route 12 passengers to help those in the University City/Grays Ferry area.
SEPTA and the Grays Ferry Community Council worked on the new routing. Route 12 peak-hour University City trips via the 34th Street Bridge will have morning westbound service leaving Grays Ferry at 7:45 a.m., 8:15 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. en route to University City. Eastbound afternoon Route 12 service will depart University City at 4:29 p.m., 4:59 p.m., 5:29 p.m. and 5:59 p.m.
Westbound bus service on the Route 40 near the South Street Bridge construction will continue to be detoured on Walnut Street between 22nd and 34th streets before resuming normal routing on Spruce Street with eastbound service using Chestnut Street between 33rd and 23rd streets to South Street.
Last year, new weight restrictions on the bridge caused SEPTA to detour bus Route 40 from the deteriorating South Street Bridge which extends over the Schuylkill River and Amtrak’s Harrisburg line until bridge construction and rehab is complete. The project is expected to last two years.
Riders may also travel Market-Frankford El or Subway Surface routes to the University City area at 30th and Market streets. Also, R1 Airport, R2 Newark and R3 Media/Elwyn Regional Rail lines make regular scheduled stops at University City Station.
TRAFFIC DELAYS
Chester Township – Concord Road, PECO Energy utility installation between McDonald Boulevard and North Commerce Drive 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Dec. 23. Work began Nov. 21.
Newtown – West Chester Pike (Route 3), Aqua Pennsylvania utility installation with lane restrictions at Surrey Drive 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday.
Chestnut Parkway – Nether Providence and Chester, PECO Energy utility maintenance with lane restrictions between Harvey Road and 24th Street, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Dec. 1. Work began Nov. 4.
Chester – Flower Street, ramp construction, closed/detoured between Second and Front streets, 24-hour closure through Dec. 5. Work began Nov. 5.
Aston – Convent Road, PECO Energy utility installation with lane restrictions between Concord and Aston Mills roads 9 a.m.-3 p.m. through Wednesday. Work began Nov. 6.
Route 1 North/South – Chadds Ford and Concord, Aqua Pennsylvania utility installation with lane restrictions between Black Horse Lane and Route 352 (Middletown Road) 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Dec. 19. Work began Oct. 27.
Route 1 South – Middletown, Aqua Pennsylvania utility installation between Middletown Road and Elwyn Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Dec. 19. Work began Oct. 27.
Media Line Road – Marple and Newtown, Aqua Pennsylvania utility installation, closed/detoured between West Chester Pike (Route 3) and Gradyville Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Dec. 15. Work began Oct. 6.
Haverford – Darby Road closed/detoured between Route 320 and Marple Road, road widening/utility installation, weekdays and Saturdays 7 a.m.-7 p.m. through Dec. 30. Work began May 27.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.