The Indiana Department of Transportation releases snowstorm plan for SE Indiana

SEYMOUR, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) announced it will fully staff weather crew units in southeastern Indiana ahead of snow expected to begin Friday evening.

Officials from the Seymour District announced they will have drivers on the roads as early as 6 p.m. There will be nearly 150 trucks on roadways throughout the district to provide the highest level of service, INDOT officials reported.

This shift of drivers will plow and salt interstates, U.S. highways and state routes until midnight.

At midnight, a second shift will replace all drivers. This shift is expected to work until noon on Saturday based on current weather forecasts. INDOT says it will continue to monitor forecasts and developing conditions and adjust plans and schedules if needed.

Drivers should know weather and road conditions before leaving Friday night and Saturday morning. INDOT encourages motorists to leave early to safely reach destinations before the snow begins. Plan ahead by visiting www.TrafficWise.IN.gov or dialing toll-free 1-800-261-ROAD (7623) for updated Indiana travel information, including road conditions, road closures, construction information, crashes and other traffic alerts.

INDOT has released a list of guidelines to help promote and ensure driver safety during snowstorms:

• ACCELERATE GRADUALLY on ice or snow to avoid slipping and sliding
• DRIVE SLOWLY and carefully to avoid rear-end collisions and sliding on curves
• ALLOW GREATER DISTANCE behind the car ahead; it takes more time to stop on snow and ice
• BRAKE EARLY, break slowly, never slam on the brakes; if you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it; if you don’t, gently pump the pedal
• NO CRUISE CONTROL; avoid abrupt steering maneuvers
• MAINTAIN GOOD VISIBILITY, stay alert and use your headlights so others can see you
• GIVE SNOWPLOWS ROOM to operate; don’t tailgate or try to pass

For social media updates during winter weather, visit www.facebook.com/INDOTSoutheast and http://twitter.com/INDOTSoutheast.

As always, visit WCPO.com online or via your mobile device, the WCPO app for Android devices and iPhones, and @wcpoweather on Twitter for the latest weather updates.