Kentucky State Road Crews Begin Highway Patrols

DEM Blogger

January 6, 2014

From Kentucky Dept. of Transportation, District 7

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Jan. 5, 2014) – State forces in Central Kentucky and contractors reported earlier this evening to begin patrolling roadways.

Calcium chloride will be utilized with salt for treating the roads. This combination is effective up to approximately 12 degrees for pavement temperatures. The applications of calcium chloride and salt will take additional time to become active due to the extreme cold temperatures.

The KYTC District 7 Office is closely monitoring weather conditions and forecasts for this evening and tomorrow. State crews and contractors will remain on duty in all counties until the threat of inclement weather subsides.

Tips for motorists during inclement weather:

• Make sure your vehicle is sufficiently winterized – check the battery, antifreeze level, heater, defroster, wipers and windshield washer.
• Check the forecast for the latest condition reports before traveling.
• Avoid nonessential travel if conditions are dangerous.
• Dress warmly for the weather – in layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing, in anticipation of unexpected emergencies.
• Try to keep your gas tank at least two-thirds full to prevent fuel line freezing and to prepare for possible lengthy delays on the roadway.
• Make sure a friend or relative is aware of your travel route.
• Carry a cell phone and a vehicle charger.
• Make sure your vehicle has an emergency care kit. It should include jumper cables, flares or reflectors, windshield washer fluid, an ice scraper, blankets, nonperishable food, a first aid kit, and traction material.
• Drive carefully. Allow plenty of time to get to your destination. Do not use cruise control.
• Give a wide berth to snow removal equipment.
• Remember that bridges, overpasses, exit and entrance ramps can be icy when other areas are not.
• Stopping in snow requires more braking distance than stopping on dry pavement – up to four times more distance. Make sure to put plenty of distance between yourself and the vehicle ahead.
• Be visible. Dull, cloudy days will cut down on visibility, so drive using low-beam headlights.
• Steering when skidding. Stay calm and ease your foot off the gas while carefully steering in the direction you want the front of your vehicle to go. With newer vehicles with VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) the advice is to let the system handle the skid and to steer where you want to go and not over steer.

To view the priority route map for your county you can access
http://transportation.ky.gov/Maintenance/Pages/Snow-and-Ice-Priority-Maps.aspx.

District 7 crews have the responsibility for treating roads in Anderson, Bourbon, Boyle, Clark, Fayette, Garrard, Jessamine, Madison, Mercer, Montgomery, Scott and Woodford Counties.

For up-to-date traffic and travel information for major routes, inside Kentucky dial 511 and outside Kentucky call toll free at 1-866-737-3767. Information can also be obtained by logging onto 511.ky.gov/winteractivities.