WNDU
SOUTH BEND — For the second time in a week, the Indiana Toll Road has issued a winter weather ban on certain semi-trucks traveling through the western half of the Hoosier state.
The ban is on triple-tractor-trailers, long-doubles, and high-profile oversize permit loads is in effect until 7 a.m. Sunday.
The ban stretches from the Illinois state line through Mile Marker 96 in St. Joseph County.
With a fatal crash Thursday morning and another toll road winter weather ban in effect, Indiana State Police are reminding drivers that it’s better to be safe than sorry.
“The most important thing we ask folks to do is reduce your speed, increase those following distances between you and the car in front of you, and as I’ve mentioned previously, four-wheel drive does not mean ‘four-wheel stop,’” said Sgt. Glen Fifield, with the Indiana State Police. “It doesn’t matter how big your vehicle is; once you start sliding and lose control, you’re basically going for a ride.”
With police spread thin, you could be waiting for a while if you slide off into a ditch.
“Obviously, all crashes and slide-offs are important for us, but we definitely have to take care of the more severe ones first. If you’re not injured and it’s not bad, and the roadway is not blocked, you may wind up sitting for a bit of time, so it goes back to being prepared. Make sure you have blankets, food, and water,” Fifield explained.
If you are in an accident, police say the safest place to be is in your car with your seat belt fastened and to pull off the roadway if possible.
“If you are involved in a crash, stay in your car, get it out of the roadway, pull over to a safe location, then call 911 and report what has happened. Don’t sit in the roadway calling 911. If you’ve been involved in a crash, get out of the roadway, stay in your car, and call 911. That is the best advice I can give,” Fifield said.
Officials with the Indiana Toll Road say they will reevaluate the winter weather ban at 9 p.m. on Friday.
