Here's what IDOT wants you to know about preparing for winter road conditions

With the holiday season and winter approaching, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and the Illinois Tollway are teaming up to remind people about what they should do when severe winter weather strikes.

IDOT and ISP showed off their tools to ensure the safety of drivers on the road Thursday at their West Yard in Springfield. On display were two IDOT vehicles built specifically for combating snowy and icy roads. The agencies hope that people will "Get It Together," their slogan for winter weather awareness.

Omer Osman, IDOT's secretary, said that he hopes that the public will work with the agency to help ensure their safety and that of their family, friends, and the public at large.

"Preparing for winter is a year-long endeavor, but we need the public's help to keep you and your loved ones safe during the coming weeks and months," Osman said. "The team at IDOT is ready to take on snow and ice with your cooperation. Plan ahead. Reduce speeds. Increase stopping distances between vehicles. Anticipate conditions will change quickly at any time. Keep your eyes on the road. And if you are out during snow removal operations, do not crowd the plow."

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Springfield is located in District 6, where IDOT spent over $3 million to remove snow last winter including labor, materials, and equipment. One IDOT employee, highway maintainer Raley Cowman, said that he had over 50 hours of overtime last year clearing roads.

"It varies, depending on the weather," Cowman said.

Cowman and fellow maintainer Mike Finnegan were standing in front of one of the salt domes, where they dig out salt and fill trucks when winter weather strikes. Getting that salt on roads can be a challenge, particularly when they have to navigate around other vehicles. Finnegan said that people driving too fast can make life more difficult for those trying to keep roads clear.

"Everybody drives too fast," Finnegan said. "They just need to slow down."

IDOT also recommends that people keep an eye out for things like black ice, make sure to drive carefully on notoriously icy roads, keep their eyes on the road, wear their seat belts, and prepare an emergency kit complete with jumper cables, reflectors, wiper fluid, ice scraper, traction material, blankets, non-perishable food, and first-aid equipment just in case.

People are also being asked to think about whether or not their trip is necessary, whether that's seeing family or going out to get groceries. ISP Capt. Jody Huffman said that people should be prepared with what they need.

"If there's an extreme weather event that's happening, we're asking you to go ahead and evaluate whether or not your trip is necessary," Huffman said. "We're asking to make sure that you are prepared if, in fact, you do need to take that trip. We're asking that you prepare your vehicle (and) prepare yourself – make sure you have extra cellphone batteries, water (and) winter clothing that's appropriate."

ISP recommends that people stay in their vehicles if they slide off the roads and keep themselves warm. In addition, they're putting a big emphasis on making sure that people avoid being distracted while driving by cellphones or other devices.

"We're asking people to have their full attention on the roadway, so you can see if someone ahead of you is slowing to a stop or if you need to change lanes or adjust that," Huffman said. "We're asking people, number one, to put your phones down. It is not worth you getting into an accident or crash over you having your cellphone."

Huffman said that during more extreme conditions, ISP will go into their "snow plan", meaning that while you will be picked up on the roadways, they won't remove your car, making safe driving the utmost priority.

"The safety of our officers is important, as well as the safety of the maintainers that are out here today," Huffman said.

The Illinois Tollway also has a fleet of nearly 200 snowplows to help clear their roadways in the Chicago area and is committed to rapid deployment in order to keep them safe.

"We'll do whatever it takes this winter to keep our customers safe, but we're asking drivers to help us protect them by slowing down during storms and increasing their distance from other vehicles, especially snowplows and emergency responders," said Cassaundra Rouse, executive director of the tollway. "If they become stranded along the road, drivers should dial *999 for assistance and remain with their vehicles because even during severe weather, help is only a phone call away."

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IDOT is advising that people may have slower response times for road clearing due to a shortage of people with commercial driver's licenses. Those with the proper certification are asked to log on to illinois.jobs2web.com and look for potential postings with IDOT.

Cowman and Finnegan advise that motorists should fill up their gas tanks on long trips in weather both good and bad, along with blankets and good clothing in case they need to wait for a tow truck. They also recommend that people slow down when they're working to ensure their safety.

"If you see our lights, please slow down," Cowman said. "Make sure there's not anyone out on the road. We wear high viz (jackets) for a reason, but sometimes, we're not always visible, so make sure you see our lights, slow down (and) move over safely."

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: How to best navigate wintry road conditions, according to IDOT