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02/27/2023

CTDOT Reminds Residents: Preparation and Precaution are Keys to Safe Winter Driving

Better cars and better tires won’t replace careful driving practices.

Ahead of quickly approaching inclement weather, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is strongly encouraging residents to take care when driving in hazardous winter conditions and stay off the roadways if possible. 

 

In 2020 alone, 374 fatal crashes and an estimated 25,000 injury crashes occurred in wintry conditions according to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Preparing yourself – and your vehicle – for winter weather is vital.

 

CTDOT Transportation recommends these tips for driving in winter weather:

 

  • Stay off the roads if you are able.
  • Check CTroads.org before you leave for real-time travel conditions and receive traffic alerts around the state that are customized for your specific route.
  • Slow down. Increase your following distance enough so that you’ll have plenty of time to stop for vehicles ahead of you. It’s harder to control or stop your vehicle on a slick or snow-covered surface.
  • Don’t crowd a snowplow or travel beside the truck. Snowplows travel slowly, make wide turns, stop often, overlap lanes, and exit the road frequently. If you find yourself behind a snowplow, stay at least 300 feet behind it during a snowstorm.
  • Watch for black ice. Black ice, a thin and nearly invisible layer of ice that makes the road look wet, is another reason to slow down this winter. Stay alert for black ice on bridges, ramps, and overpasses, after sudden temperature drops and in shaded areas.
  • Check your local weather and traffic reports before heading out. If your roads are not in good shape, consider postponing non-essential travel until the roads are cleared.

“Winter crashes are often caused by drivers going too fast in hazardous conditions, and they can be prevented by adhering to proven safety measures and using common sense tactics,” said CTDOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto. “Residents should give themselves extra travel time, slow down, and leave extra space between other vehicles. And when you see us working, don’t crowd the plow. Please, give us plenty of room to work. This will help ensure we can clear the roadways as quickly as possible to keep you safe.”

 

If you are stopped or stalled in wintry weather, stay focused on yourself, your passengers, your vehicle, and your surroundings. In an emergency:

 

  • Stay inside your car, and don’t overexert yourself. Call 9-1-1 for assistance.  
  • Let your car be seen. Put bright markers on the antenna or windows and turn on the interior dome light.
  • Be mindful of carbon monoxide poisoning. Ensure your exhaust pipe is clear of snow and run your car sporadically — just long enough to stay warm. Don’t run your car for long periods with the windows up or in an enclosed space.
  • Carry a winter emergency travel kit in your vehicle, including a snow shovel, ice scraper, jumper cables, flashlight, warning devices such as flares, blankets, water, food, and any necessary medicine.

Connecticut drivers must remove snow and ice from their vehicles or risk fines of at least $75. Parked vehicles and vehicles accumulating snow and ice while on the road are exempt.

 

For more information about winter driving, please visit nhtsa.gov



FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES:
OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS
860-594-3062
CTDOTMedia@ct.gov

Twitter: @CTDOTOfficial
Facebook: Connecticut Department of Transportation

 

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