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UW-Green Bay Police offers winter driving advice for University community

by · November 23, 2020

Wisconsin winters can bring beautiful snowfalls and great opportunities for outdoor recreation.  However, they can also result in dangerously cold temperatures and icy conditions.  Winter weather can be unpredictable, so you need to be prepared for whatever Mother Nature may throw at us.

Be prepared for snow and icy conditions that could impact travel on roadways and make sure you have emergency kits in your vehicle and at home.  Winter emergency kits should include items such as food, water, a flashlight and batteries, and blankets.  In your vehicle, include a snow shovel, extra gloves and hats, face masks and kitty litter or sand to help give your wheels traction on icy roads in case you get stuck.

According to the National Weather Service, Wisconsin experiences an average of three to six winter storms during the season.   During the winter months, it is important to check current road conditions before you head out.  You can check travel conditions for most major roadways in the state by using 511 Wisconsin, a state Department of Transportation service updated regularly with the latest traffic and road conditions on major routes throughout the state.

Please remember to follow snowplows at a safe distance and there is NO PASSING on campus roads.

If you must use your car during a storm:

  • Plan your travel, selecting both primary and alternate routes.
  • Let someone know your travel routes and itinerary so that, if you don’t arrive on time, officials will know where to search for you.
  • Check latest weather information on your radio.
  • Try not to travel alone – two or three people are preferable.
  • Travel in convoy (with another vehicle) if possible.
  • Drive carefully and defensively. Watch for ice patches on bridges and overpasses.
  • Take note of your odometer and coordinate it with exit numbers, mileposts, or crossroads so if you are in a crash or slide off the road you’ll better be able to identify where you are and summon law enforcement officers, rescue workers, or tow truck operators more quickly to your location.
  • If a storm begins to be too much for you to handle, seek refuge immediately.
  • If your car should become disabled, stay with the vehicle, running your engine and heater for short intervals. Be sure to “crack” a window in the vehicle to avoid carbon monoxide build-up.

Be courteous to those awaiting your arrival:

  • Call ahead to your destination just as you are leaving.
  • Let someone at your destination know the license number of your vehicle, what route you’ll be traveling, and give a realistic estimate of your travel time.
  • If you have a cell phone, give that number to the party at your destination.
  • If you have friends or family at your place of origin, you should call when you arrive to let them know you have arrived safely.
  • If road conditions, tiredness, etc. delay or postpone a trip, make a phone call. Let people on both ends know of the delay.

Prepare a safety pack for your vehicle:

    • Blankets or sleeping bags
    • Flashlight with extra batteries
    • First-aid kit
    • Shovel, booster cables and windshield scraper
    • Non-perishable food like raisins and energy bars
    • Water
    • Sand or cat litter for traction
    • Cell phone adapter

Additional Tips:

 

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