With most of Wisconsin seeing heavy snowfall, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation is asking drivers to take extra precautions on the road.
WisDOT says most roads are hazardous, dealing with ice and snow. The Department of Transportation is asking drivers to consider the following before heading out:
Preparation before winter travel:
- Know the current road conditions, check 511wi.gov for the latest updates
- Clear snow and ice from vehicles prior to traveling
- Ensure full tank of gas and windshield washer fluid
- Inform others about your route and expected travel time
Precautions while driving:
- Drive for road conditions, slow down; posted speed limits are for ideal conditions
- Increase following distance, leaving plenty of room for stopping
- Headlights on
- Buckle up
- Pay attention and limit distractions
- Leave room for maintenance vehicles and plows, move over or slow down for stopped emergency vehicles
- Be cautious on bridges, overpasses and entrance and exit ramps as they ice sooner than roadways
- If you are in a crash, or in a run-off-the-road incident: stay in your vehicle; activate your vehicle’s hazard lights; and call 911
WisDOT is also urging caution around snowplows.
WisDOT says it's illegal to follow a snowplow closer than 200 feet if the plow is engaged in snow and ice removal on highways with a posted speed limit of more than 35 mph. Most crashes involving snowplows and vehicles happen when a snowplow is rear ended or hit while being passed.
Motorists may legally pass a working snowplow but are advised to use extreme caution as road conditions could be worse ahead of the plow.
WisDOT is also reminding drivers of the serious wind chills and gusts expected later this week. WisDOT says extensive blowing and drifting of new snow across open and unsheltered areas will add additional travel hazards.
Wisconsin State Patrol responded to the following between 11 a.m. on 1/22 and 7 a.m. on 1/23:
- 96 – Motorist Assists
- 50 – Vehicle Runoffs
- 35 – Property Damage Crashes
- 3 – Personal Injury Crashes
- 13 – Unknown Injury Crashes
- 3 – Hit and Run
Additional winter resources:
- WisDOT Connector stories on living snow fence and winter maintenance
- Winter facts
