The Lorain County Engineer's Office primary function during winter months is keeping Lorain County roadways clear of snow and ice. It is very important that as a driver on Lorain County Roadways you observe certain safety tips:
Keep a safe distance when following snow plows. This is critical because the operator is spreading salt/cinders as they plow snow to melt snow and ice to provide traction for driving safety.
Should there be obstructions in the roadway the operator of the snow plow may have to make a sudden stop. Do not follow too closely to the trucks as this may result in an accident between you and the snowplow.
Never pass a snow plow on the right side in a four lane road if plow operator is plowing snow off the roadway. Debris and snow is thrown from the plow to the right lane of the roadway and could cause unsafe driving conditions for you and cause damage to your vehicle.
Patience is very necessary during snow season. The snowplow operator is doing the job you are paying him to do and is only providing safe road conditions for you and your family.
During snow storm conditions snow plows are considered and should be treated as an emergency vehicle.
Winter driving can present troublesome challenges for even the most diligent of drivers. Snow and ice make driving more difficult and sometimes even dangerous. Special care must be given to your car before the winter season appears and extra caution must be used once winter has invaded the roadways.
When driving in the snow, do everything slowly and gently. Even if you maintain control of your car, not everyone else will. So, don’t get lulled into false sense of security. Remember, in the snow, tires just barely grab the road. Accelerate slowly and gently, turn slowly and gently and brake slowly and gently. To do this, you have to anticipate turns and stops, slowing down enough to make turns before you get to them, leaving plenty of distance between you and other cars.
Slippery roads are the biggest hazard of winter driving – caused by ice, slushy snow or rain. Roads are especially slick following the first rain after a dry spell since oil and grease have built up on the roads.
Remember the distance it takes to bring your car to a stop on dry pavement. In winter conditions, allow at least three times that distance to reach a full stop and avoid skidding. This means your safe distance behind the car in front of you should be three times as far. And you must begin braking three times as far away from the stoplight or corner where you turn. Reduce the danger of skidding by driving more slowly and by pumping the brakes as you slow down for a turn rather than holding them down. Use low gears on slick surfaces, especially hills and curves. Test your brakes frequently and never tailgate.
If in spite of your precautions you find yourself beginning to skid, DO NOT BRAKE. Instead, take your foot off the accelerator and gently turn your car in the direction you want your front wheels to go. Hitting the brakes or turning sharply will only lock you into a skid. If you can’t get control of your car, it is better to steer into a snow bank or fence than to risk a collision in traffic.
Visibility is another hazard of winter driving. In heavy snow, keep your lights on. Stop and clean your windshield and lights if necessary. Get off the road before you become stranded by worsening weather conditions.
If you get stuck in snow, avoid spinning your wheels – you’ll only dig in deeper. Instead, shovel snow away from the wheel paths and pour salt, sand or cinders around the drive wheels to improve traction.
Key Safety Tips:
Keep your car or truck in top shape
Allow extra time and space on the road
Listen to the weather forecast
Sometimes the best winter driving strategy is to stay at home.
The leading cause of death during winter storms is motor-vehicle crashes. Preparing your vehicle for the winter seasons and knowing how to react if stranded or lost on the road are the keys to safe winter driving.
*Make sure the tires have adequate tread. All-weather radials are usually adequate for most winter conditions. However, some jurisdictions require that to drive on their roads, vehicles must be equipped with chains or snow tires with studs.
Keep these items in your car:
Flashlight with extra batteries
First aid kit with pocket knife
Necessary medications
Several blankets
Sleeping bags
Extra newspaper for insulation
Plastic bags (for sanitation)
Matches
Extra set of mittens, socks and a wool cap
Snow gear and extra clothes
Small sack of sand for generating traction under wheels
Small shovel
Small tools (pliers, wrench, screwdriver)
Booster cables
Set of tire chains or traction mats
Brightly colored cloth to use as a flag
Bottled water
Snacks
It Could Save Your Life
Always Yield to Emergency Vehicles You Could be Saving a Life.
Every day, emergency vehicles respond to urgent requests for service from the public. The call may be for an armed robbery in progress, a baby who has stopped breathing or a fire alarm. Minimum response time by the emergency services is essential. Precious time lost while on the way to an emergency could be the difference between life and death.
As a driver, it is your responsibility to know what to do when approaching an emergency vehicle or passing a stationary emergency vehicle.
Over the past several years in Ohio, more than 20 public safety vehicles have been involved in fatal crashing; 3,500 in injury crashes; and 8,000 in property damage crashes.
Rules to live by: It’s the law
by state law, when driving, you must yield to the right for all moving public safety vehicles. You must yield to the left, if possible, for all stationary public safety vehicles.
Moving Public Safety Vehicles with Lights and Sirens:
Traffic in both directions must pull to the right and stop. As a motorist, you should stop and pull to the right prior to an intersection and always yield to all public safety vehicles turning left. Always make sure all public safety vehicles have passed before proceeding.
Stationary Public Safety Vehicles with Lights:
When approaching any stationary public safety vehicle that is displaying flashing lights, a driver need to slow down and move as far to the left as the road conditions will allow while passing the public safety vehicle. Motorists must change lanes away from the public safety vehicle if traveling on a multilane highway. If motorists are unable to change lanes safely, or if traveling on a two-lane highway, they must slow down and proceed with caution.
“It’s About Safety”
Lorain County Engineer Ken Carney P.E., P.S. 247 Hadaway St. Elyria, OH 44035 Elyria: (440) 329-5586 Lorain: (440) 244-6261 Fax: (440) 329-5587
The Lorain County Engineer's Office primary function during winter months is keeping Lorain County roadways clear of snow and ice. It is very important that as a driver on Lorain County Roadways you observe certain safety tips:
Winter driving can present troublesome challenges for even the most diligent of drivers. Snow and ice make driving more difficult and sometimes even dangerous. Special care must be given to your car before the winter season appears and extra caution must be used once winter has invaded the roadways.
If in spite of your precautions you find yourself beginning to skid, DO NOT BRAKE. Instead, take your foot off the accelerator and gently turn your car in the direction you want your front wheels to go. Hitting the brakes or turning sharply will only lock you into a skid. If you can’t get control of your car, it is better to steer into a snow bank or fence than to risk a collision in traffic.
The leading cause of death during winter storms is motor-vehicle crashes. Preparing your vehicle for the winter seasons and knowing how to react if stranded or lost on the road are the keys to safe winter driving.
As a driver, it is your responsibility to know what to do when approaching an emergency vehicle or passing a stationary emergency vehicle.
Stationary Public Safety Vehicles with Lights:
When approaching any stationary public safety vehicle that is displaying flashing lights, a driver need to slow down and move as far to the left as the road conditions will allow while passing the public safety vehicle. Motorists must change lanes away from the public safety vehicle if traveling on a multilane highway. If motorists are unable to change lanes safely, or if traveling on a two-lane highway, they must slow down and proceed with caution.
Lorain County Engineer
