The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is encouraging motorists to be prepared for snowfall during Friday morning commute hours. INDOT will have a full call out of 68 snow plow drivers to keep highways as safe as possible in the Indianapolis subdistrict, but motorists also have a responsibility to drive safely.
Forecasts are currently predicting snowfall to begin falling early Friday as many motorists hit state highways during the morning rush. The increase in traffic can potentially make clearing highways more difficult for snow plows. Motorists should drive safely around snow plows, and give snow plow drivers plenty of room to work safely.
Early morning low temperatures can also make salt less effective at melting snow. Because salt melts ice less quickly at lower temperatures, snow accumulation could create slushy conditions on roadways.
Drivers should be aware of weather and road conditions before heading out Friday morning and plan extra time to reach their destinations safely. Drivers should slow down and drive appropriately for roadway conditions. Taking precautions such as increasing following distance, braking slowly and maintaining awareness of surrounding vehicles can also prevent crashes.