FOR MARCH 1, Road Watch col.
Pennsylvanians like the rest of the country drove fewer miles last year compared to 2007. The state was one of 17 states, however, which posted an increase in driving in December compared to the previous year.
For the four months prior to December, Pennsylvania posted a decline in vehicle miles traveled.
From January to December, cumulative driving in 2008 dropped in the state by 835 million vehicle miles, down 0.8 percent compared to the previous year.
Nationally, driving fell by 107.9 billion, a decline of 3.6 percent, according to the latest Federal Highway Administration report.
In December, Pennsylvania posted an increase of 143 million more miles than the same month in 2007.
“This trend of fewer-miles-traveled began in November 2007 when fuel prices started rising, reaching highest-ever gas prices eight months later,” said AAA Mid-Atlantic spokeswoman Catherine Rossi.
“Normally, Americans drive three trillion miles a year,” she said. “We might have peaked in that regard. What’s the new normal when it comes to driving? That question remains unanswered right now.”
The year-over-year decrease in miles driven by Americans in 2008 over 2007 is more dramatic than other periods of decline, including the days of the long gas lines during the “oil price shock” in 1973, and the stock market crash of 1973-1974. Just 17 states bucked the national trend in December 2008 by posting an increase in vehicle miles traveled.
The 2008 yearly VMT decline dwarfs the 49.9 billion VMT decline of the 1970s, a decade characterized by high gas prices, fuel shortages and a recession.
Cumulative travel for 2008 is nearly 2.9 trillion VMT, federal officials estimate. In 2007, VMT totaled 3.029 trillion.
Free Motorcycle Courses
As spring approaches, some people may be thinking of hitting the roads soon on a motorcycle for the first time, without having to literally face winter winds over the handlebars.
The Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program is offering free classes for area residents to learn to ride a motorcycle. All information about the course is available at www.pamsp.com and cannot be obtained by contacting the training sites.
A motorcycle permit is needed in order to create your profile and register for a class. Participants will need to go to their local PennDOT Driver’s License Exam Center and obtain a permit before registering for a class.
Then go online and create your profile to become familiar with the site so you can quickly register when the class opens for registration. Instructions are on the Web site.
The MSP based in York, Pa., has been training motorcyclists since 1984. Last year, over 28,000 students were trained through the program. Successful students can now obtain their motorcycle license through either of the two programs offered.
The Basic Rider Course is designed for novice riders who want to learn basic skills to operate a motorcycle safely. Students who successfully complete both the knowledge and the skills test with MSP will receive a motorcycle license from PennDOT. Training motorcycles are provided.
The Experienced Rider Course is available for experienced riders who want to improve their skills and increase safety. Students who successfully complete the skills test with MSP will receive a motorcycle license from PennDOT. Students use their own motorcycle in this course.
For class schedules and more info, visit the Web site or call 1-800-845-9533, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-noon.
Bridge Lighting
The Ben Franklin Bridge will have special lighting to promote the American Red Cross and St. Patrick’s Day this month.
For most of the month, March 1-16 and March 18-31, the bridge will have red lighting to recognize American Red Cross Month, according to the Delaware River Port Authority.
On March 17, the bridge will participate in the Wearin’ o’ the Green with green lighting for the observance of St. Patrick’s Day.
Drive Safe PA Contest
High school students now have until March 13 to submit entries in PennDOT’s “Drive Safe PA” radio contest, due to inclement weather that caused cancellations in many school districts this winter.
Through the radio contest, high school students have the opportunity to remind drivers about the importance of highway safety through a 30-second radio public service announcement or PSA.
High school sophomores, junior and seniors are invited to create a PSA focused on aggressive driving, driving under the influence or failure to use seat belts. The PSA must include the phrase “Drive Safe PA,” which PennDOT is introducing as part of its continued commitment to highway safety.
One finalist will be chosen from each of PennDOT’s 11 engineering districts – this five-county region is District 6. The winning students will be invited to Harrisburg to have the PSA professionally recorded and then distributed to radio stations in their respective areas.
Winning students from each district will receive certificates and copies of the finished PSA.
Students can submit a completed audio PSA or written script which can be sent via e-mail to RA-penndotpress@state.pa.us, or mailed to PennDOT Press Office, c/o Alison Wenger, 8th Floor-Keystone Building, 400 North Street, Harrisburg, PA 17120.
For complete contest rules, visit www.dot.state.pa.us and click on Drive Safe PA.
Entries must be received or postmarked by March 13.
Traffic Delays
Prospect Park – Route 420 North/South (Lincoln Avenue), crack sealing between Route 291 (Industrial Highway) and U.S. Route 13 (Chester Pike) 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesday-Friday.
I-95 North/South – Chester, patching between Highland and Edgmont avenues 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday.
I-476 South – Haverford, sound wall repairs/preparation to set up barriers, right lane closed between Lancaster Avenue (U.S. Route 30) and West Chester Pike (Route 3) interchanges, 9 p.m. Wednesday-3 a.m. Thursday.
Brookhaven – Route 352 North/South, patching between Upland Avenue and Brookhaven Road 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday.
Ridley Park – Ridley Avenue, Aqua utility installation, closed/detoured between Constitution Avenue and Crosswell/Tasker streets 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays starting March 9 and through Aug. 28.
Marple — Media Line Road, Aqua utility installation between Lovell Avenue and Highland Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through May. Work began Jan. 12.
Also, West Chester Pike (Route 3) – Aqua Pennsylvania utility installation at Franklin Getz Drive 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through March 13. Work began Feb. 25.
Springfield – Springfield Road, PECO Energy Co. utility installation between Rose Lane and Norwinden Drive 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through Thursday. Work began Feb. 20.
Also, Route 320 (Sproul Road) – PECO utility installation at Kennerly Road 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through March 11. Work began Feb. 16.
Chester — Flower Street, ramp construction with a new traffic pattern at Fourth and Second streets, 24-hour restriction through 2011. Work began Jan. 12.
Also, Norris Street, ramp construction with lane restrictions at Front Street and Delaware Avenue, 24-hour restriction through 2011. Work began Jan. 12.
U.S. Route 322 West (Conchester Highway) – Upper Chichester, PennDOT bridge repairs, left lane closed between I-95 and Route 452, 24-hour restriction through March 3. Work began Jan. 16.
U.S. Route 1 North — Middletown, PECO Energy utility installation between Red Roof Road and Pennell Road (Route 452) 9 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays through April 1. Work began Dec. 22.
“Road Watch” appears Sundays. Only messages and mail with phone numbers will be considered. E-mail: jroman@delcotimes.com.