On Feb. 4, a patch of snow on a heavily traveled highway created dangerous driving conditions and led to the deaths of two University students.

Elizabeth Munley and John Scott, both of Endicott, died in a two-car crash after their car hit a patch of snow on Route 220 and careened out of control.

Each winter season, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation renews its request that drivers help prevent similar accidents, by careful observance of hazardous road conditions.

Andy Surovec of PennDOT's Bellefonte division said the department is quick to clear snow-covered roads during the winter months. Winter road conditions have not been problematic in the Centre County area despite much snowfall this season.

However, unpredictable changes in the weather can cause a larger problem for motorists than snow, according to a PennDOT advisory.

"Freeze and thaw cycles, potential flooding, mud and other foreign materials on the road's surfaces all affect vehicle performance," said Assistant District Engineer for Maintenance George Khoury.

Local police and traffic officials said adequate care is administered to roads on and around campus.

When the area is hit by a snowstorm, salting and plowing begin as soon as possible after the snowfall ends, said John Henninger, a State College Bureau of Police Services Officer. There are exceptions, though, such as when it snows in the off-hours. During those times, the snow can build up before work crews can begin clearing the roads, Henninger said.

Surovec said PennDOT does a good job clearing the roads. Winter conditions cause slow traffic much more often than causing traffic accidents in this area, he said. Problems and delays can be avoided if drivers maintain a slower speed in hazardous weather, he said.

"People don't realize how hard it is to stop when you're going 35 or 40 miles an hour," Surovec said.

Henninger said those who attempt to drive too fast cause most of the accidents. He advised that "most of the accidents could be avoided if people would just drive sensibly."

PennDOT stresses winter road safety with the following suggestions:

-- Plan extra time into your travel schedule.

-- Travel at a safe distance behind other vehicles.

-- Reduce speed when approaching bridges.

-- Stay informed of the anticipated weather conditions.

-- Watch for children.

"We are asking the motoring public to take inventory of their winter driving practices to ensure that they are not underestimating the need to drive cautiously for the remainder of this winter season," Khoury said.