CDOT Winter Storm Preparations

CDOT maintenance crews are on, or will be on, snow-shift tonight throughout southeastern Colorado. Snow shift denotes a 12-hour on/12-hour off work time.  .  Blizzard conditions are forecast for the Monument Hill area, areas north to Denver, and the Eastern Plains, with the potential for 12 to 24 inches of snow combined with winds gusting to 40 mph.  Travel is expected to be difficult so please be prepared.  Because of the amount of snow and high winds, visibility is expected to be minimal so highway closures are possible tonight and tomorrow for areas east of Colorado Springs and Pueblo, to the Kansas state line.

Drivers need to be prepared for this storm and anticipate hazardous driving conditions beginning this evening, overnight and tomorrow.  Drivers can access current information on road and weather conditions by viewing the www.cotrip.org Web site or by calling 511.  Up-to-date information also is available by subscribing for e-mail or text messages. Sign up by visiting www.coloradodot.info, clicking the cell-phone icon in the upper right corner and checking geographic areas of interest.  It is free of charge but standard text message rates do apply.  Other winter travel tips include:

• Logging onto CDOT’s Winter Driving web page at:www.coloradodot.info/travel/winter-driving for additional information.
• Not passing plow trucks on the right.  Also, a plow blade may be extended, making it unsafe.  Drive slowly and let the plow clear the road for you.
• Always keeping the top half of your gas tank full. It can give you better traction and gives you a bigger margin of error if you get stuck and have to keep the engine running periodically to keep warm.
• If you are stuck in a serious storm, do not leave your car. Run the engine periodically and wait for help. Make sure the tailpipe is clear of snow and ice.
• Carrying blankets, water, a flashlight, a shovel, some nutrition bars or other food for sustenance. Winterize your vehicle’s safety kit by including extra blankets, sand to help gain traction in the event you become stuck on ice or snow, jumper cables, an ice scraper and lock de-icer.
• Remembering 4-wheel drive does not mean 4-wheel stop. A 4-wheel drive vehicle will not stop any better in icy conditions, especially if you have inadequate snow tires.
• Being sure of your route. Don’t go exploring in the back-country without some local knowledge, especially during a storm or when one is bearing down anywhere near your location.
• Being sure you have good tires. The Colorado State Patrol recommends at least 1/8 of an inch tread depth. Chain restrictions in Colorado are most often put into effect for commercial vehicles (semi-trailer trucks) and do not usually affect passenger vehicles.
• When visibility is poor or there are whiteout conditions, not driving faster than conditions allow.  High speeds can lead to chain reaction accidents. Also remember you can’t see around mountain curves and corners either.
• Conducting a pre-trip vehicle inspection, leaving extra space between your automobile and others on the road, and never drinking and driving. And, of course, alwaysbuckling up!

Bob Wilson
Public Relations Manager – Colorado Department of Transportation
www.coloradodot.info