Stay safe when driving in winter

MnDOT offers these safe winter driving tips for motorists:

• Turn on your headlights and wear your seat belt
• Turn off your cruise control
• Slow down; allow at least five car lengths between your vehicle and a plow
• Stay behind the snowplow. The road behind a snowplow is safer to drive on.
• Watch for snowplows that turn or exit frequently, and often with little warning
• Never drive into a snow cloud
• Call 511 or visit www.511mn.org before leaving on your trip to get current road conditions

Pay attention

Snowplows travel much slower than the posted speeds because it is most effective for clearing roads. The driver’s field of vision is severely restricted behind the truck, and the driver must rely on mirrors to see to the rear and side of the truck.

Remember to:

• Check road conditions at www.511mn.org or call 511 before heading out; it takes time to get roads back to good driving conditions
• Be patient, and remember snowplows are working to improve road conditions for your trip
• Stay back at least five car lengths behind the plow, far from the snow cloud. Snowplow operators will pull over when it is safe to do so to allow traffic build-up to pass
• Stay alert for snowplows that turn or exit frequently and often with little warning. They also may travel over centerlines or partially in traffic to further improve road conditions
• Slow down to a safe speed for current conditions. Snowplows typically move at slower speeds.

We're in the storm together. Be patient with the snowplows and drive according to road conditions. Heavy traffic congestion affects snowplowing operations. If you're stuck in traffic, so are the snowplows.