November 16, 2007
Contact: Meg Mincolla
Phone: (775) 888-7172
Safe Winter Driving Tips Available on NDOT Web Site
Nevada drivers can venture a little safer on winter roads with winter driving tips and information from the Nevada Department of Transportation’s (NDOT) new “Ice and Snow- Take it Slow” campaign.
In 2006, there were five fatalities and 490 vehicle crashes statewide attributable to unsafe driving behaviors in snow and ice, such as driving too fast for conditions, following too closely, failing to maintain a lane and overcorrecting.
“There is nothing more important than the safety of our roadways, and there are many ways drivers can prevent these tragedies with basic safe driving techniques,” NDOT Director Susan Martinovich explained. “This campaign arms Nevada motorists with tips to drive safer in winter, for themselves and for all of us sharing the road.”
The campaign will highlight important winter driving tips, from maintaining constant, slow speed, using seatbelts and headlights, removing snow from vehicles and keeping a safe distance, through a variety of avenues. A new winter driving Web site located at www.nevadadot.com/winter offers the winter driving information along with road conditions, chain requirement information, and links to Nevada weather forecasts and other state road conditions. A brochure detailing winter driving tips is available at NDOT offices or by contacting (775) 888-7000. NDOT’s radio and television public service announcements also include the Ice and Snow logo and information.
“This winter driving information has also been distributed on bookmarks and ice scrapers to northern Nevada schools, car rental companies and our transportation partners,” Martinovich said.
A national campaign initiated by the Clear Roads coalition, the Nevada Ice and Snow campaign is being funded by NDOT’s roadside logo sign program at no taxpayer expense.
The campaign complements NDOT’s 511 Nevada Travel Info system launched last winter. The traveler information system posts current weather, construction, traffic and road incident information to a 511 phone number and www.nevadadot.com Web site. Road conditions are also available on the radio in certain areas at 530 am and/or 1610 am.
The Ice and Snow campaign also helps fulfill educational goals established in Nevada’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan, a plan developed by the Nevada Departments of Transportation and Public Safety and other partners to help reduce statewide traffic fatality numbers.
WINTER DRIVING TIPS ∙ Only travel in winter weather when necessary, leave enough time to safely reach your destination and plan your route to avoid snowy/icy areas and steep hills. ∙ Before leaving home, check weather and road conditions by dialing 511 within Nevada (or 1-877-NV-ROADS outside of Nevada). ∙ Share your travel itinerary so others know when to expect you. ∙ Remove snow and ice from all vehicle windows, mirrors, lights, turn signals and license plates. ∙ Buckle up. ∙ Turn on headlights to see and be seen. ∙ Turn off cruise control. ∙ Avoid quick starts, stops and fast turns. Accelerate, brake and steer smoothly and gradually. ∙ Reduce speed. Speed limits are based on normal road and weather conditions, not winter road conditions. ∙ Do not slam on brakes. Apply steady pressure on ABS-equipped vehicles and pump the brakes if necessary on non-ABS vehicles. ∙ Always comply with all posted chain requirements. ∙ If your vehicle has snow tires, install and use them between October 1 and April 30. ∙ Keep additional distance from other vehicles. ∙ Watch carefully for snow removal equipment. ∙ Do not pass without good distance and sight clearance. ∙ Use extra caution on bridges, ramps, overpasses and shaded areas- they may freeze first. ∙ Maintain a high fuel level. ∙ If vehicle begins to skid, steer in direction of slide and slowly remove foot from accelerator. ∙ Be aware of black ice. ∙ If parked or stuck in snow, leave window slightly cracked for ventilation and make sure vehicle exhaust system is clear of snow.
