FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WFFT) — Indiana State Police say they responded to more than 600 calls in a 12-hour period about snow-related incidents.
According to the Indiana State Police Dispatch Center in Indianapolis, during Sunday nights snowfall from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday morning, troopers across the state investigated 336 property damage crashes, 79 personal injury crashes and 213 slide-offs during that time period.
With more snowfall forecasted overnight, the Indiana State Police would like to offer some safe driving tips.
Police say the most common cause of crashes during snow or icy weather is driving too fast for the existing road conditions.
They say slick roads don’t cause crashes, it’s your driving behavior on those roads that causes the crash.
Plan your trip according to weather and traffic conditions.
The Indiana State Police offers the following safe driving tips for inclement weather.
- Allow extra time to get to your destination.
- Clear all windows of ice and snow and remove snow from hood, roof and head lights and tail lights.
- Beware of bridges, overpasses and intersections where ice tends to form first.
- Don’t use cruise control on slick roads.
- Avoid abrupt stops and starts, slow down gradually and keep wheels turning to avoid losing traction.
- Use headlights even during daylight hours.
- INCREASE the following distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
- DECREASE YOUR SPEED according to the road conditions.
- Make sure everyone in your vehicle is properly restrained.
- DON’T BE DISTRACTED-Pull over and stop to use electronic devices.
- MOVE OVER and SLOW DOWN for emergency vehicles, snow plows and highway service vehicles.
ISP says it’s going to snow, and roadways will be slick, so leave early and give yourself extra time to reach your destination.
If you don’t have to go out, then don’t go.
They urge you to give highway crews time to work and get the roads cleared.
Slow down and increase your following distance, as it’s better to reach your destination late than to not reach your destination at all.
