Get ready for winter weather
With the days growing shorter and temperatures gradually getting colder, the public is being reminded that it’s time for “Winter Weather – Get it Together.”
The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and Illinois Tollway are prepared for whatever snow-and-ice season has in store, but also are asking you to get ready for winter travel over the coming months.
“The unseasonable weather might mean snow and ice are the furthest from your mind, but conditions will change very soon. You don’t want to be caught by surprise and unprepared,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “Our team at IDOT spends the entire year getting ready for winter by bringing in extra help, stocking up on materials and making sure our equipment is ready to go. By doing your part now, we can ‘Get it together’ and make this the safest winter ever on Illinois roads.”
Now is a crucial time to begin practicing basic winter driving skills and preparing for even routine trips to take longer, even though temperatures are above freezing during the day and roads appear clear. As part of the “Winter Weather – Get it Together” campaign, travelers are encouraged to follow these simple guidelines:
Bookmark IDOT’s GettingAroundIllinois.com to check road conditions 24/7 before heading out. Get in the habit of monitoring weather forecasts.
Do not travel during bad weather unless absolutely necessary. If you do have to drive, check the forecast and make sure someone is aware of your route. Familiarize yourself with public transportation and ridesharing options.
Give yourself plenty of extra time. Slow down and increase the distance between other vehicles.
Watch out for black ice. A road may appear clear, but can be treacherous.
Be especially careful when approaching intersections, ramps, bridges and shaded areas that are prone to icing and can become extremely slick.
Don’t crowd the plow. You might see them, but they might not see you. Also, road conditions are much better behind than in front of the plow. Any plow that’s hit is one less resource available to clear the roads.
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