Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
Drivers are urged to prepared, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Unfavorable driving conditions are on the horizon and risks for car accidents in Chicago will be increasing as we head into the New Year. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), the Illinois State Police (ISP), and Illinois Tollway officials have teamed up to ensure the readiness of the state’s winter crews and their emergency equipment; all hands are making sure they’re ready for what’s to come in the winter season — snow and ice.”The historic snowfall amounts last year tested IDOT’s relentless 24/7 operation,” said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider.
Our Illinois car accident attorneys understand that transportation departments have a responsibility to keep our roadways in safe driving conditions. However, the IDOT, ISP and Illinois Tollway are reminding motorists that drivers have a responsibility, too. When the weather changes and our roadways become more dangerous, drivers are asked to buckle up, slow down accommodate snow plows and keep an emergency kit in their vehicles. IDOT says safety should always be a number one priority on our roadways.
During this winter season, there will be nearly 3,700 workers and about 1,750 pieces of equipment ready to be deployed. In 2009, nearly $85 million was spent removing the snow and spreading more than 562,200 tons of salt on our roadways.
Every winter, the ISP, the Tollway and the IDOT urges drivers to work together to keep our roadways safe.
The Illinois Tollway will have more than 400 workers with nearly 200 snow removal devices ready to tackle the fallen snow and ice storms along the 286-mile Tollway system throughout Northern Illinois. Right now, the Tollway has roughly 80,000 tons of salt and some other snow-removal items, including angular crushed stone and liquid calcium chloride. The Tollway typically uses more than 84,000 tons of salt during a winter season.
Kristi Lafleur, Illinois Tollway Executive Director, says that drivers need to be prepared and cautious on our roadways during the upcoming winter season. She reminds drivers to slow down and to call *999 if they and need of H.E.L.P. as the Illinois Tollway is here to help.
Safe Winter Driving Tips:
-Never crowd a plow. These drivers deal with restricted vision and may not see you.
-Keep an eye out for black ice. Drive slowly through intersections, bridges, off-ramps and other areas prone to black ice.
-Make sure you always have more than a half a tank of gas to prevent freezing.
-When snowy and icy, don’t travel unless you absolutely need to.
-Keep an emergency kit in your car.
-Always wear your seat belt.
-Keep a cell phone and a charger in your car.
-Check Illinois travel conditions before venturing out.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, the personal injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offer free and confidential appointments to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.
More Blog Entries:
$70,000 auto accident settlement reached by Chicago injury lawyer, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, November 18, 2011
“Faces of Distracted Driving” Campaign to Reduce Risks of Car Accidents in Chicago and Elsewhere during Busy Holiday Season, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, November 15, 2011