Snow Increases Driving Hazards
| Information reprinted with permission of the Courier Times, local newspaper New Castle, Indiana 12/16/2013 4:28:00 PM Snow increases driving hazards |
| By BILL HYDEN bhyden@thecouriertimes.com Traveling on Henry County roads should become less treacherous during the next couple of days, but safety personnel ask motorists to use extra care while driving in snow and ice. Roughly 1 to 2 inches of snow fell across the area early Monday morning, turning an already difficult journey for some local motorists into a potentially hazardous situation, Bill Ward, assistant director for the Henry County Emergency Management Agency, said. "I was surprised that 2 inches of snow fell at my residence in Middletown," said Ward. "I wasn't following the weather that closely after Saturday's snow. It does look like temperatures will get above freezing during the next couple of days, however." Ward said that although the warmup might give motorists the impression that everything is fine on the surface, a few things remain that require attention. "With all the snow and ice that built up on the edge of roads, a warmup could cause water to pile up in low parts. Everyone also needs to understand that in December, it is likely that things will freeze over once again," said Ward. "If people want to be particularly helpful, they will grab a shovel and clear out any storm drains as this will keep water from pooling and then freezing, creating another road hazard." Joe Wiley, the Henry County Highway Department administrator, said his crew worked 20-hour days to remove Saturday's deposit of snow and ice from the 802 miles of roads that serve the county. "We are spending every hour of our day out doing something to make county highways safe for travel," said Wiley. "Our equipment is holding up for the most part, with the exception of a few minor setbacks here and there. Unfortunately, we probably can't cover all of the county's 802 miles of highways in a way that would please every member of the motoring public." Wiley said the unseasonably cold weather has depleted about 30 percent of his agency's salt allotment for the season. "It's a unique situation due to the last week's very cold temperatures and winter hasn't officially started just yet," said Wiley. "No matter what, we can only respond to what comes our way and we will." Maj. Jay Davis of the Henry County Sheriff's Department said motorists avoided extensive injuries and damage as just a few slide-offs occurred over the weekend. "Everyone should just remember to slow down and allow some extra time to reach their destinations," said Davis. "Right now, the snow isn't the problem as much as the ice layer underneath the snow blanket. I advise everyone to be particularly cautious at night when visibility is limited. Even pedestrians need to watch out for slick and untreated sidewalks." Bill Hyden is a staff writer for The Courier-Times. Follow him on Twitter @BillHyden. |
