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New York Transportation Department Gives Safe Winter Driving Tips

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Thomas J. Madison Jr. today reminded New Yorkers to be prepared when traveling in winter weather conditions. "The Department of Transportation crews are renowned for their expert ability to manage and maintain New York's infrastructure needs during the punishing winter season from Buffalo to Brooklyn," Commissioner Madison said. "But the Department also needs motorists to help us ensure highway safety by following some simple guidelines and tips on driving during and after a winter storm. We encourage everyone to visit our Web site in advance of making travel plans for important up-to-the-minute road and weather conditions and suggestions on making their travel experience safe for all." The department’s Web site features an interactive safe driving Web experience that includes tips for safe driving in winter weather conditions, a video demonstrating the proper method for steering out of a skid, a winter driving quiz, and a video that allows visitors to experience the conditions snow plow operators face each winter.Also provided on NYSDOT’s site is a link to the Traveler Information Gateway (TIG). The TIG provides real-time conditions affecting transportation systems throughout New York State. By accessing an interactive map, users can focus on specific areas of interest and view reports on accidents, construction, road closures and weather conditions.

Visitors to the TIG can also access the Winter Travel Advisory system, which provides information about snow and ice conditions on many of New York State’s most traveled roads, directly from our maintenance operators. A color coded map indicates current conditions on State highways that may be snow covered, ice covered, wet, dry, experiencing white-out conditions or closed. This will help travelers make an informed decision regarding their travel plans. NYSDOT is responsible for performing winter maintenance on 34,000 lane-miles of State highway. An additional 8,500 lane-miles are maintained by municipal contractors. Approximately 3,800 permanent and temporary plow operators are prepared to work around the clock during snow and ice events to keep our State highways safe for the traveling public. Snow fighting equipment used by the department includes 1,400 plow trucks and 330 bucket loaders, which are used to load salt into plow trucks. Additional equipment, including large snow blowers and graders, are utilized when conditions warrant. NYSDOT uses an average of one million tons of rock salt each year, depending on weather severity. In addition to salt, the department utilizes a variety of liquid chemicals, such as magnesium chloride, calcium chloride and salt brine to help melt snow faster and reduce salt application rates.

Some of the most important tips for safe winter driving include the following: Never follow a snow plow too closely or attempt to pass one. Remember that the highway ahead of the plow is usually snow covered; Many times, several plows will work side-by-side to clear multi-lane highways. This is the most effective, efficient and safe way to clear these types of highway. Please be patient and do not attempt to pass plow trucks in this formation; Adjust speed for road conditions and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles; Schedule extra time for winter travel and be patient during snow and ice removal operations; Assume that bridge surfaces are slippery, as they freeze more quickly than road surfaces; Have a cell phone handy, if possible; Never venture from your vehicle if snowbound; Equip your car with emergency supplies including sand, shovel, flares, booster cables, rope, ice scraper, portable radio, flashlight, blanket and extra warm clothes; Inform a responsible person of your destination, intended route, and estimated time of arrival; and Keep calm and do not panic in case of a vehicle breakdown, accident, or if you become snowbound.