NJ DOT offers safety guidelines, lifts travel ban for winter weather
The state Department of Transportation banned commercial vehicles from several major highways for much of Friday and lowered speed limits in some areas due to plowing and weather.
The ban went into effect Friday at 3 a.m., barring certain types of vehicles from using certain highways.
It was lifted at 7 p.m. Friday.
"Interstate and state highways are in good condition, but with high winds and freezing temperatures there is a potential for roads to be slippery," the state agency said at that time.
"It is important to remember road conditions can change quickly."
The roads that had restrictions in place were:
I-76 (entire length)
I-78 (entire length)
I-80 (entire length)
I-195 (entire length)
I-280 (entire length)
I-287 (entire length)
I-295 (entire length)
I-676 (entire length)
NJ Route 440 (both directions from the Outerbridge Crossing to I-287)
The restrictions applied to::
Tractor-trailers
Empty straight CDL-weighted trucks
Passenger vehicles pulling trailers
Recreational vehicles
Motorcycles
The ban does not apply to the Garden State Parkway, Atlantic City Expressway and the New Jersey Turnpike and does not include public safety vehicles, vehicles or people directly supporting health facilities or transporting food or fuel.
More: This is just the start as heavier snow falls in South Jersey
What to know if you need to travel
With snow continuing to fall throughout the day, plowing and salt trucks will be on the road to clear the roads of any snow.
The DOT offered the following tips for any drivers who need to travel on the roads:
Slow down and obey posted speed limits
Always stay clear of plowing and spreading trucks. If they are behind you, let them pass
Do not pass between trucks that are in a plow formation
Leave early and allow extra time
Leave a safe following distance between vehicles
Use caution on bridges and ramps
If you are driving and road conditions deteriorate, pull off somewhere safe and wait it out
Be patient and use caution
Keep an emergency kit in your car with a cellphone charger, water, snacks, blanket, and other items.
More: S.J. snow plans getting test as storm blankets area
You can follow along for any speed restrictions or road closures at 511nj.org.
Nick Butler is an impact reporter for the Courier Post, the Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times covering community news in South Jersey. Have any tips or stories? Reach out to NButler@Gannett.com. Subscribe to stay in the loop.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: NJ DOT released guidelines for safe driving during winter storm