(SOUTHWEST) – The Indiana Department of Transportation Vincennes District will have yellow salt trucks deployed throughout southwestern Indiana this weekend as winter weather makes its second-weekend appearance in a row. INDOT reminds motorists to be cautious while traveling during this upcoming winter weather.
Forecasts for southwestern Indiana are calling for 1-4 inches of snow in some areas, with the event expected to begin around 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 19.
The northern parts of the Vincennes District expect to see the bulk of that of snow. Maintenance crews expect the event to begin with rain in the early afternoon and as temperatures drop the wet roads will be monitored for freezing and cleared of snow/rain/ice mix as the precipitation.
Temperature drops are expected to be extreme. Throughout the day and afternoon expect to see upper 40’s and lower 50’s. However as the sun sets, temperatures are expected to drop into the teens and 20’s assisted by high-speed winds. Crews expect ground and pavement temperatures to follow shortly after.
Yellow salt trucks ready
INDOT will have about 100 drivers reporting at about 4 p.m. local time in each sub-district. Crews will be at full callout until late in the evening and overnight hours and then reduced as needed. Each route takes 2-3 hours to complete with salt assisting in melting between passes. Winds are expected to reach 30+ miles per hour. This could cause road temperatures to drop more rapidly. It also creates concerns about drifting, or snow blowing into the roadway and creating slick spots. Crews will be on the lookout for this as well.
Know before you go
Before deciding to drive, check road and traffic conditions at http://indot.carsprogram.org, 800-261-ROAD (7623) or our INDOT mobile app. County governments post color-coded travel advisories on the Homeland Security website at http://in.gov/dhs/traveladvisory. For regular updates, find links to INDOT’s Facebook and Twitter pages at http://bit.ly/INDOTsocial.
Driver tips
Drivers often aren’t prepared for winter driving – especially since this is the first major snow so far this winter- and forget to take it slow. The first snow events of the season typically bring higher rates of crashes and slide-offs as motorists get re-accustomed to driving in winter weather.
- Reduce speeds. Remember, “ice and snow, take it slow.” Nobody should be driving summer interstate speeds in winter weather. Plan plenty of time to reach your destination safely and be patient. Don’t put yourself and others in a dangerous situation by being in a rush.
- Keep a safe distance. Make sure your vehicle is following at a safe distance to stop. Do not tailgate, especially around snow plows, and try not to pass. Give snowplows room to work, and “don’t crowd the plow.”
- Pay attention. Avoid all distractions and focus only on the task of driving safely. Be aware of your surroundings, drive defensively and be alert for others who are not driving safely.
Stay Informed
Motorists can learn about highway work zones and other traffic alerts at indot.carsprogram.org, 1-800-261-ROAD (7623) or 511 from a mobile phone.
Subscribe to receive text and email alerts about INDOT projects at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/INDOT/subscriber/new.
Follow @INDOTSouthwest on Twitter and at Facebook.com/INDOTVincennesDistrict.
