Illinois Department of Transportation workers are preparing for winter and asking you to do the same before getting behind the wheel.
IDOT’s annual winter weather driving campaign, “Winter Weather – Get It Together,” asks drivers to allow extra time for trips, slow down, increase distance between other vehicles, and as Illinois State Police Troop 6 Commander Josh Adcock asks, focus on driving.
“Distracted driving is a huge issue no matter the time of the year,” Adcock said. “Speed as well, and following too closely. During winter weather, you want to create enough room so that if the person in front of you or around you slows down, there’s not going to be a collision from you following too close.”
Highway maintainer Chris Merriman reminds drivers that plows need plenty of room and plow drivers sometimes can’t see smaller vehicles.
“Remember that we do our best to see you, but we’ve got our hands full,” Merriman said. “We’re plowing snow, we’re putting down ice preventative, salt and brine. Anything the public can do to help us navigate safely, please do that.”
Traveler information and highway conditions can be found at gettingaroundillinois.com.
