The official start of winter is still weeks away, but all northern Indiana drivers know, winter weather can arrive much earlier.
INDOT’s top wintertime priority is snow and ice removal, and they 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 Northern District has improved on that mission by realigning their 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, plan extra travel time to get to your destination and clear off your vehicle completely before hitting the road, not just the windshield. Other tips include accelerate gradually and brake early to avoid slipping and sliding and of course 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 and ice removal crews can beon the job 24 hours a day when needed to clear hundreds of snow routes on 30,000 lanes miles of road statewide. INDOT crews will clear roads by any means necessary, from plowing and salting, to spraying brine and de-icers.
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.
