The driver of a van waits for a tow truck after losing control of his van along Route 8 in Butler Twp. on Wednesday afternoon.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has implemented temporary vehicle and speed limit restrictions on area highways as a result of Wednesday's snow storm.

PennDOT is urging motorists to avoid unnecessary travel, but those who must head out will see speeds reduced to 45 mph on I-79 from the West Virginia state line through the Slippery Rock Exit, and on I-80 from the Ohio state line to the I-81 exit in Harrisburg.

Tier 1 of the state's weather event vehicle restriction plan are also in effect on I-80 from the Ohio border to New Jersey. Those restrictions prohibit empty tandem trailers, empty trailer trucks, motorcycles, permitted loads, recreational vehicles/campers, vehicles with tow -behind trailers, tractors without trailers, school buses, commercial buses and motor coaches on the highway.

Speed limits also have been reduced to 45 mph on Routes 28 in Allegheny County and 422 in Lawrence County.

PennDOT will remove the travel restrictions and post updates at www.511pa.com.

The department also asks motorists to allow plenty of space when driving near plow trucks. Motorists should never attempt to pass a truck while it is plowing or spreading winter materials.

PennDOT reminds motorists to pack an emergency kit for their vehicles. A basic kit should include nonperishable food, water, blanket, small shovel and warm clothes. When preparing an emergency kit, motorists should take into account special needs of passengers such as baby food, pet supplies or medications and pack accordingly.

While PennDOT recommends not traveling during winter storms, motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 road miles by visiting 511PA.com. 511PA is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras.

511PA is also available through a smartphone app for iPhone and Android devices by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.