INDOT Press Release – The official start of winter is still weeks away, but all northwest Indiana drivers know, winter weather can arrive much earlier. The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) wants you to know, WINTER IS COMING, TIME TO GET PREPARED.
INDOT’s top wintertime priority is snow and ice removal, and we use all available resources to keep roads open, maximize the mobility of the traveling public, and minimize accidents due to winter traveling conditions.
This year INDOT’s Northwest District has improved on that mission by realigning our district boundaries and snow routes for more efficient snow and ice removal. INDOT Northwest has also added new equipment, including two new tow plows which can clear two lanes of highway at once, while only using one driver.
The biggest impact to safe winter travel begins and ends with drivers. Additional preparations can help make a trip safer.
Be Prepared
– Know the condition of the roads (Check INDOT Facebook and Twitter pages or Trafficwise)
– Plan extra travel time to get to your destination
– Clear off your vehicle completely before hitting the road (not just the windshield)
– Accelerate gradually and brake early to avoid slipping and sliding
– Give INDOT plow crews room to work. It’s a difficult job and they’re on the road 24 hours a day to keep you safe. Stay back, slow down, and watch for plows making sudden stops or turns
– Plan extra travel time to get to your destination
– Clear off your vehicle completely before hitting the road (not just the windshield)
– Accelerate gradually and brake early to avoid slipping and sliding
– Give INDOT plow crews room to work. It’s a difficult job and they’re on the road 24 hours a day to keep you safe. Stay back, slow down, and watch for plows making sudden stops or turns
INDOT Is Prepared for Winter
– Snow/ice removal crews on the job 24 hours a day
– Hundreds of snow routes on 30,000 lanes miles of road statewide
– Clearing roads by any means necessary, from plowing and salting, to spraying brine and de-icers
– High tech and scientific weather prediction, utilizing a partnership with Purdue University, specialized statewide forecasts designed for INDOT, and local forecasts
– Extensive plow driver training, both on the roads and in the classroom learning the science of snow removal
– Equipment to get the job done, including enough salt to get us through the worst winter
– Hundreds of snow routes on 30,000 lanes miles of road statewide
– Clearing roads by any means necessary, from plowing and salting, to spraying brine and de-icers
– High tech and scientific weather prediction, utilizing a partnership with Purdue University, specialized statewide forecasts designed for INDOT, and local forecasts
– Extensive plow driver training, both on the roads and in the classroom learning the science of snow removal
– Equipment to get the job done, including enough salt to get us through the worst winter
Drivers can monitor road conditions across the state anytime, day or night, by logging on towww.trafficwise.in.gov. The website is updated during snow events to inform drivers whether road conditions are good, fair, or difficult. Or get winter safety tips at winterdrivingsafety.in.gov.
