INDOT works to clear Christmas snowfall

wsbt.com/news/wsbt-indot-works-to-clear-christmas-snowfall-20121225,0,2647945.story

The following was released by the Indiana Department of Transportation just before noon today:

LAPORTE – Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) plow truck drivers are working overtime to ensure holiday travels are as safe as possible. Throughout the winter INDOT winter operations crews are regularly tasked to work through nights, weekends, and holidays and Christmas Day has been no different.

Lake effect snow fell in the LaPorte and Gary areas overnight and more than a dozen plow drivers have been on the roads clearing the way. Current forecasts predict additional snow for Northwest Indiana beginning Christmas night on Tuesday, December 25^th. Crews are pre-treating bridges and roadways with salt brine, an anti-icing solution, ahead of this expected accumulation. INDOT will continue to monitor multiple developing forecasts, as well as a statewide network of road and bridge pavement sensors, to deploy the needed personnel, equipment, and materials ahead of any predicted accumulation. INDOT’s top winter priority is to plow and treat its more than 30,000 lane miles of interstates, U.S. highways, and state routes.

Motorists planning to travel on Christmas night are advised to keep an eye on evolving weather forecasts. INDOT encourages holiday travelers to leave early to safely reach their destinations before the snow begins. INDOT asks drivers to promote their own safety and that of others on the wintry roads:

ACCELERATE GRADUALLY on ice or snow to avoid slipping and sliding
DRIVE SLOWLY and carefully to avoid rear-end collisions and sliding on curves
ALLOW GREATER DISTANCE behind the car ahead; it takes more time to stop on snow and ice
BRAKE EARLY, break slowly, never slam on the brakes; if you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it; if you don’t, gently pump the pedal
NO CRUISE CONTROL; avoid abrupt steering maneuvers
MAINTAIN GOOD VISIBILITY, stay alert and use your headlights so others can see you
GIVE SNOWPLOWS ROOM to operate; don’t tailgate or try to pass

For the latest winter weather updates, road closures, and news from INDOT, like us at Facebook.com/INDOTNorthwest and follow us at Twitter.com/INDOTNorthwest.