It’s Winter Weather Awareness week in the state of Minnesota.

The week is designed to help Minnesotans reduce the risks of winter. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety sponsors the week every fall in collaboration with the National Weather Service (NWS) and other state, federal, and non-profit agencies.

There will be a different theme each day in the effort to provide information that can be used with school, church or civic programs.

The theme for Friday is Indoor Winter Driving.

VEHICLE WINTER SURVIVAL KIT

Each year, hundreds of Minnesotans find themselves stranded on the roadside. Winter weather can kill in mere minutes if an unprepared person is ​exposed to the elements.

“If you absolutely must be on the road pack that kit that would include some snacks, some nonperishable snacks on hand, some water, you’ll want to have that as well.” says Michael Kurz of the NWS La Crosse office. “If you know conditions are really bad and you find yourself stranded and and let’s say help can’t come to you soon, you want to say in your vehicle if at all possible”

For survival tips and how to build a vehicle survival kit, CLICK HERE.

511 INFORMATION SYSTEM

The 511 Information System provides road safety information 24 hours per day. Landline and cell phone users can call 511 for regional and statewide reports on traffic congestion, road and weather conditions, construction work and other obstacles.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation’s (MnDOT) website features both a dial-up/static site and a high-speed Internet/Google map site with real-time updates. You may also sign up for the Metro Twitter account, which will alert you to any incidents within the Metro area.

SNOWPLOW SAFETY

The MnDOT snowplow operators are trained, experienced and prepared to assist motorists through another winter season.  

Last year in Minnesota, there were 72 crashes involving vehicles that hit snowplows. This is typically caused by inattentive drivers, motorists driving too close to the plow or motorists driving too fast for conditions.

Operators have much to monitor and control, and their ability to see behind them is limited by side mirrors. Their vision can also be hampered by the snow clouds they create while plowing.

Safe driving means:

• Check road conditions at www.511mn.org or call 511; it takes time to get roads back to good driving conditions.
• Be patient and remember snowplows are working to improve road conditions for your trip.
• Stay back at least five car lengths behind the plow, far from the snow cloud. Snowplow operators will pull over when it is safe to do so to allow traffic build-up to pass.
• Stay alert for snowplows that turn or exit frequently and often with little warning. They may also travel over centerlines or partially in traffic to further improve road conditions.
• Slow down to a safe speed for current conditions, and give yourself plenty of travel time. Snowplows typically move at slower speeds.
• Buckle up and ensure children are properly secured in the correct child restraint.
• Avoid unnecessary travel if road conditions are too poor.
• “The number one thing is to drive slowly and drive carefully right, umm you know adjusting your speed for any sort of weather whether it’s rain and you can’t see, can’t see a ton in front of you or it’s snow and there is snow on the ground” says Brynna Knapp.