How to stay safe on the roads during heavy snowfall

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – Heavy snow is leading to poor visibility, hazardous road conditions and dangerous temperatures. To stay safe while traveling this winter, WILX News 10 spoke with experts and officials who shared their tips for staying safe while driving in heavy snow:

Some drivers forget when the weather changes, and the same goes for their driving habits.

State and local authorities are prepared to take to the streets if weather conditions worsen. The Michigan Department of Transportation shared how it is preparing for the coming snow and how you can prepare, too.

From the drivers on the roads to the departments that release them safely to the road, it’s all about being prepared. There’s going to be more snow in central Michigan, and MDOT is ready to absorb it.

MDOT is responsible for salting and plowing your major highways and highways. Depending on the prevailing weather conditions, the department will establish priority levels for ice and snow removal. Spokesman Aaron Jenkins says crews monitoring the tri-county area of ​​Ingham, Clinton and Eaton counties are prepared to handle heavy snowfall if a weather event occurs.

“We’re operating 24/7 at this point (during a major weather event), we’re operating two shifts and we’ll be out at this point, as you know, taking care of the roads to keep them nice and nice for you to clean up, but we ask When you encounter our snow plows, give them space to make sure you don’t overfill them, and be patient. Give yourself more time to get where you need to go,” Jenkins said.

The most important thing is to eliminate distractions while driving. Remember the Michigan law that states that a clearance of at least 200 feet (or 20 feet when parking) must be maintained when a snow plow is on the road or a $100 fine will be assessed.

Drivers in Michigan know how quickly the weather can change. But nothing can prepare them when in no time they find themselves caught in a snow squall on the road.

These short winter outages can cause panic among drivers.

Experts shared advice about these dangerous conditions and tips on how to stay safe while commuting.

We are talking about cold, windy and snowy weather conditions. It doesn’t matter what time of day a snow squall hits the area during a major weather event, but it does present challenges for drivers on the road.

According to the National Weather Service, a snow squall is a short, heavy snowfall. In addition, there are gusty winds that make visibility difficult. These compact snowstorms occur suddenly and cause a whiteout that can last about 30 minutes to an hour. Ingham County Sheriff Scotts Wriggelsworth offered some tips in case you encounter a snow squall on your way to work.

“Get ready, you know it will snow sometimes very heavily in the next few days. There will definitely be some heavy blowing over the next two days, so be prepared for this slowdown and stay away from your phones. Just concentrate on the road. If you have your hazard lights on or are always warning people around you that you’re probably driving a little slower than maybe some others, all the little things you can do to warn the drivers around you are to take extra precautions meet,” Wriggelsworth said.

In addition to slippery or icy roads, snow plows can also contend with changing weather conditions. Therefore, you should always make sure to stay focused and avoid distractions when driving.

Experts say you should postpone your trip if the weather is bad. If you are already on the road and get caught in a snow squall but can’t get out safely. Do not slam on the brakes as this could result in an accident on icy, slippery roads.

The actual thermometer reading may be above or near freezing, but these wind-chilled temperatures should be taken seriously to avoid weather-related injuries or worse.

Let’s face it: no matter the weather, people have to travel or work outside. But the winter months are all about staying warm. Avoid exposing body parts to cold.

We know that colder conditions cause illnesses like colds and flu. Dr. However, Nike Shoyinka of the Ingham County Health Department says as temperatures drop, there is a risk of frostbite if certain limbs are exposed, which can later lead to hypothermia, which can lead to pneumonia, which can be fatal. Shoyinka says it’s all about preparation to prevent these cold-related emergencies.

“When you think of frostbite, it is a cold in the right extremities and then to the extent that there is not enough blood flowing there. At this time it is important to layer up and wear warm clothing. Please make sure you have the proper clothing for this weather and we are all Michiganders and know what that should look like,” said Dr. Shoyinka.

Currently, many communities are not opening warming centers, but that could change as colder weather arrives in central Michigan.

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