The Indiana Department of Transportation is monitoring
multiple weather forecasts predicting a mix of rain, freezing rain, snow and
ice to move across Indiana beginning Friday evening.
A
few degrees can mean the difference between rain, ice or snow, so freezing rain
can be difficult for forecasters to pinpoint far in advance. INDOT maintenance
supervisors will continue monitoring
developing conditions and reports from law enforcement and the public to supplement local weather
forecasts.
If the forecast indicates frost or other freezing weather, INDOT sprays a
salt-water mixture to pre-treat bridges, which are likely to freeze first. If a
storm is predicted to lead off with rain, salt trucks pre-treat our roads just
before pavement temperatures fall below freezing and the snow and ice begin to
accumulate.
INDOT will adjust its call out of manpower,
trucks and materials as appropriate to address changes in forecasted and
observed road conditions. Trained INDOT employees are on call to staff plow
trucks around the clock with alternating 12- to 16-hour shifts.
Freezing rain and ice can be the
most dangerous and difficult conditions for drivers and plow trucks because it
affects vehicles of all sizes, including those with four-wheel drive. Motorists
are strongly encouraged to avoid non-essential travel within the times and
areas where a coating of ice is forecasted to accumulate.
Here are several steps that drivers
can take to minimize the risk of losing control on icy roads:
- Consult hourly weather
forecasts and schedule high-speed and long-distance trips during the
warmer hours of the day. This will help save the extra time needed to slow
down and drive according to the conditions.
- Know before you go by
checking the red-yellow-green traffic
speeds on your map app or http://indot.carsprogram.org.
- Monitor current air
temperatures and slow down if conditions are near or below freezing. Watch
how salt trucks, emergency vehicles and other drivers are responding to
the weather.
- Apply anti-lock brakes firmly
when encountering ice. Pump brakes that are not anti-lock. Do not
overcorrect with steering.
Drivers can monitor road conditions and traffic alerts across
the state at any time. Visit www.TrafficWise.IN.gov
or dial toll-free 800-261-ROAD (7623) for INDOT’s TrafficWise Traveler
Information Service. Subscribe to receive text and email alerts about INDOT
projects and services at http://bit.ly/INDOTsubscription.
Find links to INDOT’s regional Facebook and Twitter pages
at http://bit.ly/INDOTsocial.
INDOT will be providing snow and ice removal updates with posts tagged
#INDOTWinterOps.
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