Impending storm spurs N.J. commercial travel ban

New Jersey officials enacted a commercial travel ban Sunday afternoon ahead of a storm that is likely to drop several inches of snow across a majority of the state.

(Julio Cortez/AP Photo)

(Julio Cortez/AP Photo)

New Jersey officials enacted a commercial travel ban Sunday afternoon ahead of a storm that is likely to drop several inches of snow across a majority of the state by Monday morning.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, who also declared a state of emergency, says the commercial travel ban applies to all interstates in the state. The restriction does not apply to the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway, or the Atlantic City Expressway.

The ban includes tractor-trailers, empty straight CDL-weighted trucks, passenger vehicles pulling trailers, recreational vehicles, and motorcycles, according to the New Jersey State Police.

New Jersey State Police Colonel Patrick J. Callahan says the commercial travel ban is due to the anticipated severity of the storm.

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“Residents and motorists should avoid driving unless you are an essential employee needed for emergency response. If you do not have to be on the roads during the storm, please stay home,” he said in a prepared statement.

“If you must go out, drive slowly, fill your gas tank, charge your phone, pack blankets, water and non-perishable food items,” Callahan added.

The latest National Weather Service forecast pins the highest snowfall accumulations in the northern portion of New Jersey, progressively decreasing south and east toward the coastline.

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