Engineering District 5-0
1713 Lehigh Street
Allentown, PA 18103
PR #133-06
November 16, 2006
Contact: Sean A. Brown
(610) 798-412
WET LEAVES CAN BE HAZARDOUS FOR AREA MOTORISTS
ALLENTOWN (November 16) – Fall is here and an array of colorful leaves are naturally falling to the ground and on the Commonwealth’s roadways. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) cautions motorists to be wary of driving over wet leaves that have fallen to the roadways. If it is rainy and wet, as it is today, please watch for patches of wet leaves in the roadway.
Wet leaves become slippery and therefore pose a very dangerous road hazard that can in some cases be as hazardous as icy surfaces. Automobiles coming to a stop should be especially cautious due to the likelihood of skidding on wet leaves throughout east central Pennsylvania.
PennDOT suggests the following courses of action:
1. Maintain the proper speed limit and proceed cautiously when traveling through leaf riddled roadways.
2. Brake slowly while stopping in a patch of leaves. There is a difference in the way regular brakes and ABS (Anti-Lock Braking Systems) brakes need to be used and the way they work. Please familiarize yourself with the braking systems of the vehicles you drive BEFORE you need to make a quick stop.
3. Avoid piles of leaves because there could be children at play hidden in the mound of leaves.
Get PennDOT’s local news releases, traffic bulletins and other information anytime at http://www.dot.state.pa.us/penndot/districts/district5.nsf/District%205-0%20Homepage?OpenFrameSet.
For more information, visit PennDOT’s homepage at www.dot.state.pa.us.