Know Snow: Be prepared for winter-weather travel season

Winter doesn’t officially arrive until later next month, but chilly temperatures are here and some spots have already seen snow.

While friends and relatives back east might have a hard time believing our desert state sees anything but sunshine year-round, we know that Arizona’s winter weather is harsh enough to keep ADOT’s 400 snowplow operators busy through the season.

ADOT crews are prepared for the snowy, icy months ahead and we want to make sure you are too…

One of the ways we do that is through our annual “Know Snow” campaign, which kicked off this morning with a media event highlighting ADOT’s winter preparations.

Maybe you saw us on you local news station this morning?

If you did, you got updates on ADOT’s fleet of snowplows, heard safe driving tips and received good advice on what to pack in your vehicle BEFORE heading out on the highway this winter.

In case you missed any of it, we have all that information and more on our website at azdot.gov/KnowSnow.

As in previous years, we are using Know Snow to remind drivers to plan ahead if their travels could include encounters with snow or ice. We also encourage you to review these safety recommendations before you head out on the road:

• Slow down. Drive according to road conditions, including operating at slower speeds and avoiding sudden acceleration on snow and ice.
• Leave extra room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.
• Give snowplows space. Slow down and stay at least four vehicle lengths behind a plow.
• Be prepared. Bring extra clothes and gloves, maintain at least a three-quarter-full tank of gas, keep your cell phone charged and pack extra drinking water, some food and all necessary medications. Pack items that would help in case you encounter an unscheduled highway closure.
• Pack an emergency kit in your vehicle. It should include blankets, a flashlight, ice scraper, small shovel, container of sand for traction and hazard warning lights or reflectors.
• Beware of black ice, especially at night when melting snow can turn to slippery ice. And remember, ice tends to form on bridges first and can be hard to see.
• Stay up to date. Visit ADOT’s Travel Information site at az511.gov to get the latest highway condition information.

Check out azdot.gov/KnowSnow for more details and be sure to stay tuned to the blog for more snow-related information headed your way in the coming weeks.