Safe Winter Driving on
Illinois Roads

Winter driving in Illinois presents a wide variety of conditions.  Whether driving on Township streets, municipal or county roadways, or on state marked routes and interstate highways, the responsible highway agency wants to provide the safest, most comfortable driving conditions at the least inconvenience.

The Township of Northfield wants to pass on a few simple winter driving tips to make your drive a safe one while snowplow trucks are working.

Things You Can Do:

• Do be careful entering major streets or highways.  Trucks plowing snow often can’t see you merging.
• Do be sure you know which direction the truck is plowing, left or right, on the highway before passing.  Limited visibility can make this difficult.
• Do stay well back from snowplows to avoid being hit by spreading material or ice and snow that may fall off the truck. Plow drivers can’t see directly behind the truck.  At higher speeds you should increase the distance more.
• Do watch for plow drivers in town, weaving in and out pulling the snow out of turn bays and parking lanes. Plow drivers have limited visibility.
• Do use roadside objects as landmarks to orient yourself to the highway. Landmarks help to identify the roadway in darkness and poor visibility.
• Do watch for plow trucks turning around or changing lanes.  You can see them better than they can see you.
• Do stay with your vehicle if you become stranded. To avoid being hit by a snowplow, pull as far off the road as possible and turn on your emergency flashers or other lights to help be seen. Brush the snow off your headlights and taillights.
• Do carry a winter emergency survival kit with you. This should include: an ice scraper/snow brush, blankets and warm coverings, jumper cables and a basic tool kit, a flashlight with extra batteries, flares or reflectors, a shovel and traction materials (sand, kitty litter, old rugs or mats), a basic first aid kit and any other items you feel necessary.
• Do keep your gas tank full.
• Do turn your headlights on - to see and be seen.
• Do take along a cellular phone in case of emergency
• Do watch those bridges, they’re probably slick.

Things Not To Do:

• Don’t overdrive your headlights. Stay within the limits of your vision.  Your headlights set on dim usually provide the best visibility for you.
• Don’t drive through “whiteouts” caused by plowing snow or cross winds.  Be patient.  Conditions will change so you can pass safely.
• Don’t travel beside a snowplow.  They can veer sideways when hitting drifts or when cutting through snow pack.
• Don’t pass snowplows working together pulling snow from the middle of the road.  You can’t get through.
• Don’t  assume you’ll have good traction because the road looks clear. “Black ice” and poor visibility can be deceiving.  Remember to brake slowly and to reduce your speed during winter driving conditions.
• Don’t park on streets designated as snow routes. Obey the local guidelines; and, please use common sense and good judgment when driving and remember, snowplow drivers are out there to make the roads as safe as possible for you - not to get in your way.  Be patient and let them do their job.

THINK SAFETY