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From Indiana State Police Lowell District, Sgt. Ann Wojas, Public Information Office:
There is a “phenomenon” that occurs every year in Indiana between November and March-winter weather. But for some motorists comprehending that fact, and changing their driving behavior, can be challenging. December 1st (2010) was an example of that, considering the number of crashes and slide-offs emergency personnel responded to.
When snow or ice covers the roadway, factor in freezing or sub-freezing ambient temperatures, the character of the road will change. What once was dry pavement now has a coating that reduces the friction between your motor vehicles tires and the road surface. Many motorists commonly refer to this as “slick roads”.
Our troopers investigate thousands of crashes and slide-offs during the winter months. Inevitably, 99% of the time the driver will claim the “slick roads” caused them to crash, or slide-off the road.
Snow and ice covered roads don’t cause crashes-motorists driving behavior cause crashes. What do our troopers discover when investigating these crashes? The driver was: driving too fast for the road conditions, or tailgating, being impatient, driving while texting or talking, and other distractions.
The Indiana State Police believes in proactive measures to educate motorists to re-evaluate their driving behavior not only in the winter months, but year round before they, or an innocent second party becomes a statistic.
Here are some tips:
Drive according to road conditions.
Hang up cell phones, and drive with caution.
Allow extra time to get to your destination. Reduce your speed to accommodate for the every changing road conditions.
Increase your distance between you, and the vehicle you are following. Don’t tailgate.
Clear all windows of ice and snow and remove snow from hood, roof and head lights and tail lights.
Beware of bridges, underpasses, shaded areas and intersections where ice and snow is slow to melt.
Slow down to increase traction; don’t use cruise control on snow or ice covered roads.
Avoid abrupt stops and starts, slow down gradually, and keep wheels turning to avoid loosing traction.
Use low beam headlights day and night to decrease glare from snow and ice.
Buckle up; it’s the best protection if you are involved in a crash.
MOVE OVER, SLOW DOWN for emergency and highway service vehicles.
FROM INDOT:
This winter, drivers will be able to track conditions of the roads across the state. The website www.trafficwise.in.gov will be updated during snow events to let drivers know if road conditions are good, fair or difficult.
The information will also be available by calling 800-261-ROAD (7623)
