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INDOT Southwest Winter Roads Update

Last updated on Monday, February 16, 2015

(VINCENNES) - The Indiana Department of Transportation has deployed a total of 338 yellow plow trucks across southern and central Indiana.

Trained INDOT drivers staff plow trucks around the clock with alternating shifts of 12 hours or more until lanes are clear.

INDOT sub-districts along the Ohio River in Evansville and Tell City report hazardous and difficult driving conditions as shown on INDOT's TrafficWise map at http://indot.carsprogram.org. INDOT maintenance staff report color-coded winter driving conditions as:
Gray: Good, the road is clear
Blue: Fair, speed is reduced due to isolated patches of snow and ice, and
Violet: Difficult or hazardous, speed is reduced due to snow and/or ice covered pavement.

In addition, Daviess, Dubois, Knox, Lawrence, Washington, Perry, Owen, Scott, Jefferson, Clark, Pike county officials have declared yellow travel advisories as of 7:30 a.m. Several northern counties are also under yellow travel advisories. Floyd County which is the highest level of local travel advisory, means that travel may be restricted to emergency management workers only. During a "warning" local travel advisory, individuals are directed to:
(A) refrain from all travel;
(B) comply with necessary emergency measures;
(C) cooperate with public officials and disaster services forces in executing emergency operations plans; and
(D) obey and comply with the lawful directions of properly identified officers.under a red travel advisory which means.

Counties post updates as new information is available to http://www.in.gov/dhs/traveladvisory or the Indiana Travel Advisory app for iPhone or Android.

National Weather Service winter storm warnings for southern Indiana remain in effect through tonight or early tomorrow morning.

Conditions worst during storm
Each INDOT plow route takes 2-3 hours to complete with salt assisting in melting between passes. INDOT urges drivers to reschedule optional trips as road conditions will be the worst during and shortly after winter precipitation.

With the heaviest snow predicted to continue through midday, drivers are encouraged to make room for INDOT's yellow plow trucks so they can complete their routes. Roads clogged from crashes or congestion prevent plow trucks from clearing and treating highways in a timely manner.

Driver tips
If you must venture out, drivers should follow these tips:
Take your foot off the gas and slow down gradually, especially on high-speed highways. No one should be traveling at interstate speeds during these conditions.
Choose direct routes instead of longer routes on higher-speed arterials.
Turn off cruise control.
Apply anti-lock brakes firmly. Pump brakes that are not anti-lock. Do not overcorrect with steering.

Low temperatures
With temperatures dipping well below freezing, road salt has to work harder to melt accumulated snow and ice. INDOT may mix road salt with sand or specialty chemicals that help it work more effectively in these conditions.

Sub-freezing temperatures increase the chances of melt-water refreezing into "black ice" or "slick spots" that may be difficult for drivers to distinguish from dry pavement. Even four-wheel-drive vehicles and large trucks are no match if all tires are on ice.

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