Winter Weather Driving Tips

Before we see the first official snow fall here in west central Indiana, emergency officials want everyone to be prepared and to keep it safe while hitting the roads.

 

Every first snow storm we hear about cars in ditches, crashes and all sorts of emergencies. 

 

But while we're all waiting for that first snowfall to arrive officials said to use this time wisely and get prepared so you and your family are safe while traveling come this winter.  

 

"We're lucky we haven't gotten anything yet .. but it'll be here before you know it," Debbie Calder, spokeswoman for Indiana Department of Transportation, said. 

 

And before you know it, you'll have to put your summer driving habits aside and remember some different rules of the roads once they're covered with snow and ice. 

 

" The biggest impact to safe winter travel is driver behavior so we offer these safety tips. That is to accelerate gradually, drive slowly, that we can't stress enough, when theres ice and snow on the ground. Also, slow down and keep a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you and remember to break early. Don't slam on your breaks," Calder said. 

 

But Calder also said the list of safety tips goes on. 

 

"For our snow plow drivers, please give them extra room. Don't tailgate and try not to pass them. They need to have room to get the roadways clear and clean and we'll do our best to get roadways clear this winter," Calder said. 

 

While officials said it's extremely important to travel with caution come this winter, they also remind everyone to have a plan behind closed doors for when winter storms strike. 

 

"We want people to be prepared at home if they lose power, lose their utilities so they are able to stay warm, have an alternate heat source if they can," Smokey Anderson, director of the Tippecanoe County Emergency Management Agency, said. 

 

Calder said during every storm, allow several hours to pass before leaving your home and getting behind your wheel.

 

"It takes our drivers two to three hours to complete a route so in the midst of a snow storm theres going to be ice and snow on the ground so we have to keep them slowed down so we can get cleaned up, " Calder said.  

 

Officials also said before the winter approaches, make sure you also have an extra set of gloves, blankets, phone charger, flashlight, batteries and water bottles packed in your car in case of an emergency.