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Remember, drivers: Safety first on wintery roads

CDOT offers annual tips
A webcam near the entrance of Purgatory at Durango Mountain Resort shows snow-covered roads Monday afternoon. Visit www.durangoherald.com/section/Webcams/ to view more webcams from the region.

The Colorado Department of Transportation is urging all motorists in the Southwest to ready their vehicles for the dangers of winter driving.

If forecasts with the National Weather Service in Grand Junction hold true, Thanksgiving is, at least weather-wise, likely to be mild.

But there’s a chance of snow Wednesday morning.

In a news release, Colorado Avalanche Information Center forecaster Mike Muller said, “the next chance of snow arrives in the first week of December.”

Nancy Shanks, CDOT spokeswoman for Region 5, said motorists should, “absolutely get their snow tires on now. Don’t wait until after the snow falls down here in the valley. Now is the time to start lining up to get those snow tires mounted.”

She said the other thing that’s vital for motorists to keep in mind is that “when you are traveling in adverse conditions, number one thing to do is remember the speed limit is just a suggestion. You should always feel able to go well under the speed limit. Police and highway patrol both say that most accidents are typically drivers just going too fast for the conditions.”

Finally, she said, “in terms of preparing your vehicles for winter, you always, of course, want to make sure your fluids are topped off because in inclement weather, you always need a lot of washer fluid.”

And if you’re planning a long trip, Shanks advised to “pack your car with blankets, good boots, hats and coats.” While CDOT wants to imbue a healthy sense of alarm in local motorists, it also wants to assure the public that the agency is ready for whatever weather is coming.

“During a winter storm, CDOT maintenance crews are on standby for round-the-clock patrol shifts. Maintenance area crews are out on 24-hour operation – typically on rotating 12-hour shifts – until they reach dry road conditions,” according to the news release.

“Our crews are ready,” said David Vialpando, superintendent for CDOT’s Maintenance Section 7, headquartered in Alamosa. “They’ve handled a few big events in the high country, as well as icy conditions in the valley. I’d like to remind drivers to lower their speeds in winter weather. Please, take it nice and slow, drive cautiously near our plow trucks and you will reach your destination safely.”

cmcallister@durangoherald.com



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