SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – With four to six inches of snow forecast for Central Illinois on Sunday, the Illinois Department of Transportation wants you to ask yourself one question…Do I really need to be out on the roads?
I-DOT’s Paul Wappel says if your answer is yes, there’s a list of things you should do to be prepared.
“Make sure your gas tank is full, make sure you have a cell phone that’s charged, have a first aid kit…an emergency kit with you. Have a blanket, bottled water, some non-perishable food, traction materials…like sand or kitty litter, jumper cables and flares, and pack a lot of patience if you’re going to travel,” Wappel says.
I-DOT also suggests letting someone know the route you’ll be taking, whether it’s short or long.
Wappel says it’s also important during a winter storm to give the snow plows plenty of room, if you’re sharing the road with them.
“There are a lot of blind spots, so you might see the snow plow, but they may not see you. So, we ask you to please don’t crowd the plow. The road in front of the snow plow isn’t going to be any better than the road behind the snow plow…and, if somebody does try to pass the snow plow, and there is unfortunately a crash or incident, then that snow plow is going to have to be taken out of commission, meaning it may take longer for that stretch of road to be cleared,” Wappel says.
I-DOT has a great resource for motorists with road conditions statewide, called gettingaroundillinois.com.
Wappel says the website is updated 24-7, 365 days a year, with the latest road conditions for motorists across Illinois.
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