CONNECTICUT, USA — From pouring rain, gusty winds and slushy snow, the first Nor’easter of 2020 brought us all sorts of weather activity - and concerns about keeping everyone safe on the road.
State Police reported numerous spin-outs and crashes across the state on Saturday. A 12-mile stretch of I-84 was completely shut down for over an hour in the early evening.
“We would caution the public. If you don’t have to go out and drive in it, by all means stay home. But if you do have to out, use caution” stated Paul Rizzo, Bureau Chief of Highway Operations.
With this being one of the first snowfalls of the season, it’s important to remember to take things slow and steady, and keep your distance from other vehicles, especially the plows.
Rizzo says that the best place to be in a snowstorm if you’re driving, is behind a plow, but making sure you’re keeping a safe distance away from them to do their job effectively.
The Department of Transportation has over 50 maintenance facilities throughout the state, providing timely and accurate care to the highways, based on the weather in that designated area. A new MDSS system in their trucks uses strategic algorithms to produce a preferred treatment for the roads to preserve resources and eliminate waste.
“It’s just another tool in our tool bad to combat each storm”, says Rizzo.
The Connecticut State Police are urging people to take it slow during these slippery conditions, and refresh your memory on driving in poor weather conditions. “If you find yourself in a situation due to the mixed precipitation, take your foot off the brake, slow down as best as possible, and try to regain control” says Master Sergeant Todd Fedigan.
Fedigan also reminding everyone to make sure their cars are equipped with the proper tools and equipment needed to safely drive in rough weather. “It’s always a good idea to make sure you have a bottle of washer fluid in your car during the wintertime, and make sure your wiper blades are good as well. Make sure your tires are at an adequate tread depth.”