Thanksgiving travel/PA deer

What to look for on Smart Talk Wednesday, November 22, 2017:

More Americans travel during the Thanksgiving weekend than any other time of year.

It’s estimated that more than 50 million will travel at least 50 miles from home.  About 89% of them will drive so it may take a little longer to arrive at their destinations.  Gas prices are up by some 40 cents a gallon compared to Thanksgiving last year, but obviously that is not stopping people from hitting the roads.

It’s not just the holiday either — Black Friday will bring out millions of shoppers and in Pennsylvania, the unofficial holiday of the first day of the antlered deer season for rifle is Monday.

Oh and by the way, the weather is forecast to be seasonal without any big threats of rain or snow, at least in the southern part of the state.

With so many drivers on the roads, from time-to-time Smart Talk brings in the Pennsylvania State Police to answer your driving questions.  Cpl. Adam Reed, the Public Information Officer for the State Police, is on the program Wednesday.

Also, deer season starts Monday.  Pennsylvania Game Commission Communications Director Travis Lau updates us on the status of the state’s deer herd, including population, deer management and chronic wasting disease.

emails

– Comment:  It seems like people do not understand how to merge.  They don’t yield and think it is your responsibility to move over to make room for them.  This is dangerous.

Question:  Can you make a left on red if you are turning onto a one way street?  I’ve seen people do this and was curious if this is allowed.    – Lee Ann, Dillsburg

– Want to meet a police officer in Germany or Austria?  Pass another vehicle on the right OR fail to yield the left lane to on coming traffic.  Unrestricted speed limits in Southern Germany, 140KPH in Austria – but they are strict in their enforcement of safety laws.                                           – Steve, York

– I am in EMS and a certified Emergency Medical Service Vehicle Operator (EMSVO). Please have the Trooper reiterate the duties of a driver on the approach of an emergency vehicle. Also, the duties of a driver if an emergency vehicle is coming toward them from the front. 

I have been a volunteer EMT for nearly 40 years. Driver behavior has gotten worse in the past few years.

Stay Safe and thank the Trooper for his service.                                             – Tom, Carlisle

– Regarding 4 way stops or any situation where drivers must use eye contact and hand signals… I’ve been wondering how these situations would be handled by self-driving cars. – eric

– hiway on ramps – Yield does NOT mean merge.                                        – Steve

– Problem with this on-ramp is it’s too short. When you’re driving up it it’s lower than 81 . You can’t see the oncoming traffic to merge easily until you’re 100 feet from the highway. The on-ramp needs to be rebuilt.                       – Patricia

– I drive a motorcycle and it is an import sport bike. I know and I have seen other riders operating their bike illegally by doing wheelies and cutting in and out of traffic. Not all high-end sport bike riders are like these individuals, please give me the same respect that I give you and watch for me because I am smaller than you.  – Paul

– If possible could you ask if they write citations for loud music/mufflers/etc. consistently and how is it measured.

I find the most distracting part of driving is when my driving environment is infringed by somebody else’s commute.

I’m all for freedoms, but their freedoms stop where my freedoms start.                  – Stephan