IDOT, ISP, Tollway remind public about holiday travel safety

“Winter Weather – Get it Together”

information provided by the Illinois Department of Transportation

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (November 24, 2019) – With motorists throughout the state preparing for Thanksgiving travel, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police, and the Illinois Tollway remind travelers that the brunt of winter is yet to come. They encourage the driving public with their “Winter Weather – Get it Together” campaign, which includes these tips:

• During adverse conditions, build extra time into your schedule.
• Always wear a seat belt. It’s the law in Illinois.
• Slow down. Slower speeds, slower acceleration, slower steering, and slower braking all are required in winter conditions.
• Put down handheld devices – it, too, is the law in Illinois.
• Don’t crowd snow plows. Any plow that is hit must be pulled out of service, resulting in one less piece of equipment responding to snow and ice.
• Avoid using cruise control when conditions are slick.
• Watch out for black ice. A road surface may appear clear but can be treacherous.
• Be especially careful approaching intersections, ramps, bridges, and shady areas. All are prone to icing.
• If you have to travel during bad weather, make sure someone is aware of your travel route. Acquaint yourself with local public transportation options.
• Prepare an emergency kit that contains jumper cables, flares or reflectors, windshield washer fluid, a small ice scraper, traction material, blankets, non-perishable food, and a first-aid kit.
• Carry a cell phone and a car charger in case of emergency. For emergency assistance in the Chicago area, call *999.
• Obey the Move Over Law by slowing down and changing lanes when approaching any stopped vehicle with flashing lights.

Motorists can check statewide travel conditions by visiting gettingaroundillinois.com.

For the upcoming winter, IDOT will have more than 1,800 trucks available for deployment to plow almost 16,000 miles of roads statewide, the equivalent of driving from Illinois to South America and back. Last year, IDOT spread more than 600,000 tons of salt statewide. This winter, salt domes throughout the state are close to capacity, with more than 570,000 tons on hand.

The Illinois Tollway mobilizes its fleet of 196 snowplows during winter storms and has stockpiled 81,000 tons of salt to keep its 294-mile system of five roadways safe and clear for its 1.6 million daily drivers.