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Safety Citizens Program

Become a Safety Citizen by partnering with PennDOT in encouraging others to practice safe behaviors on the road. This virtual community outreach program invites Pennsylvanians to express their creativity while responding to traffic safety questions posed bi-monthly. Every other month, we'll request a response using a different medium such as video, poem, drawing, and more. Selected responses will be shared on PennDOT's social media platforms.

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We Want to Hear from You!

How do you prepare for winter driving? Share your best winter driving safety tip. 

Preparation is the key to successfully navigating the winter roads. Winter weather can bring unexpected conditions, so make sure that both you and your vehicle are ready for snow and ice.  

Kid Challenge: Decorate this coloring page and submit your creative safety slogan for a future PennDOT Paint the Plow Program. For example, previous slogans include “Put Down the Device in Snow and Ice” and “Know Before You Go”.)

Submissions Due January 31, 2023

Submit Content

Winter Driving

Remember, if winter weather is forecast, eliminate all unnecessary travel. This will keep you and your family safe and allow PennDOT to perform its winter duties. However, if you must travel, PennDOT offers the following tips for safe driving this winter season. You may also download our Winter Driving Guide (PDF).

  • Carry a winter emergency travel kit.
  • Listen to weather and travel advisories, but if you don't 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 cell phone.
  • 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 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.

Submissions

  • Video responses should be no longer than 30 seconds with a file of size of no larger than 50MB. 

  • Original artwork should be submitted as a PDF, JPG, or PNG and the file should be no larger than 30MB. 

  • PennDOT reserves the right to not post a submission for any reason. If a submission is not used for a particular reason the participant will be contacted and given the option of sending a new submission. 

  • All submissions must be the original work of the submitter and must not infringe on the rights of third-parties, including but not limited to, intellectual property rights. By participating in the program, the participant accepts responsibility for any third-party intellectual property claims which may arise from the submission and agrees to hold PennDOT harmless from such claims.

  • PennDOT does not provide financial assistance for supplies, materials or other items associated with this program.


    • Submit Content

Past Topics:

Teen Driver Safety, Impaired Driving, Highway Safety Laws, Distracted Driving, and Many More!

Thank you everyone for your submissions! If you would like to view all the previous posts search #SafetyCitizens on Twitter and Facebook. 

Facebook

Twitter

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​Resources

Winter Driving (PennDOT)

Winter Driving (NHTSA)

Winter Driving Tips (AAA)

Kids Corner

Plow Coloring Page(PDF)

Upcoming Topics

March/April: Work Zone Safety

May/June: Pet Travel Safety

Questions?

Contact us with any questions at SafetyCitizens@pa.gov

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