Colorado Department of Transportation warns motorists that a slow-moving winter storm, forecast to arrive Wednesday night and continue into Thursday, will impact road conditions through Friday in Southwest Colorado.
Heavy snow was predicted to develop over the Four Corners and Utah starting Wednesday evening and accumulate overnight at high elevations, according to the National Weather Service.
“This time of year we have a lot more people on our roads due to the holidays,” Kyle Lester, CDOT director of highway maintenance, said in a news release. “Our snowplow operators will be out in full force pre-treating our roads before the storm, and they’ll be out there until the system moves out of the area using their deicing products and plow blades. We ask the public to join us in making the roads safe by being prepared for winter driving before getting behind the wheel.”
Southwest Colorado motorists can expect difficult driving conditions, high winds, snow drifts and limited visibility Thursday through Friday, especially over mountain passes, including Lizard Head on Highway 145; Dallas Divide on Highway 62; Red Mountain, Molas and Coal Bank on U.S. Highway 550, and Wolf Creek on U.S. Highway 160.
Those who plan to commute Friday morning should allow extra time for travel.
CDOT released a list of winter driving guidelines for road users in the state:
Ensure tread on tires is suitable for winter conditions. Check the manufacturer specifications and measure accordingly; driving with tire tread less than an eighth of an inch is illegal when traction law is in effect.Drive with snow tires if possible; all-season tires are not designed for snow and ice.Leave extra space between vehicles.Slow down when conditions become more severe and visibility is limited.Bow to, and never crowd, the plow; snowplows need space to effectively remove snow and maintain road surfaces during winter storms. Only pass snowplows if absolutely necessary, always on the left with extreme caution.Avoid peak travel times if possible and consider carpooling or alternative transportation.If stuck in a storm, do not leave the vehicle and run the engine periodically until help arrives.Prepare a winter-driving kit with blankets, water, food, a flashlight, shovel, sand for extra traction, jumper cables and an ice scraper.Be familiar with Colorado Passenger Vehicle Traction Law and Passenger Vehicle Chain Law; watch for signs that inform drivers a traction or chain law is in effect. Drivers without required equipment can be fined $130. Drivers who block the roadway can be fined more than $650.“With many driving in from out-of-state or for those who are feeling stressed with the holidays, we ask that you be aware if you are feeling drowsy, and if you are, pull over and take some time to refresh and wake up before hitting the roads again,” Lester said. “The best way to drive in the snow is to be alert, travel at slower speeds, and know the road conditions before you go.”
For more information, updates and driving tips, call (303) 639-1111 or visit www.cotrip.org.
fstone@durangoherald.com
