Drivers urged to slow down, increase their distance from other vehicles
The Illinois Tollway is reminding drivers to slow down and stay alert for varying pavement conditions as sleet, freezing rain and snow showers are expected to move through the region Wednesday, possibly affecting drivers during their morning and evening commutes.
The Tollway is deploying its full fleet of 196 plows to spread salt and other de-icing materials to keep roads clear and customers safe during the winter storm, which is expected to continue through the day and before tapering off early Thursday. The Tollway’s Snow Operations Center will be open to manage the agency’s systemwide response to the storm, which could affect pavement conditions and reduce visibility.
“Our top priority is to keep our customers safe by working throughout this winter storm to clear our roads of ice and snow,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. “While our roadway crews are spreading salt and de-icing materials, we’re reminding drivers to help us protect them by slowing down, increasing their distance from other vehicles and staying alert for changing pavement conditions. We’re urging our customers to avoid distracted driving by putting away cellphones so they can focus on driving safely.”
To respond to this winter storm, the Illinois Tollway will have a full complement of more than 200 staff and supervisors working per shift to keep roadways clear of ice.
Before traveling, to receive real-time information on pavement conditions and roadway incidents, drivers should sign up for Tollway Trip Tweets at twitter.com from the Tollway’s website at illinoistollway.com follow all five Tollway Trips or just the roadways that interest them. The five are: @94_294_Tollway, @I_90_Tollway, @I_88_Tollway, @I_355_Tollway and @IL_390_Tollway
While on the road, drivers whose vehicles become disabled should activate their hazard lights and dial *999 from a cellphone for assistance. Drivers should note the roadway they are using, as well as the direction of travel and nearest milepost or crossroad. For crashes involving property damage only, drivers should continue driving and complete an Illinois State Police crash report online at https://isp.illinois.gov/CrashReports/CrashReportDisclaimer.
The Illinois Tollway reminds motorists the state’s “Move Over Law” requires motorists to change lanes or to slow down and proceed with caution when passing any vehicle on the side of the road with hazard lights activated.
Winter Weather Travel Tips
The Tollway offers the following travel tips to keep safe during dangerously cold weather:
- Be sure your cellphone is fully charged before heading out.
- Be sure tires are properly inflated during cold weather. Tires lose a pound of pressure for every 10 degrees the temperature drops.
- Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up and ensure that you have extra to account for additional driving time if the weather is unfavorable.
- Keep a cold weather safety kit in your car that includes gloves, boots, blankets, road flares, water and a flashlight with fresh batteries.
- Stranded motorists should turn on their emergency lights and remain in their vehicles until help arrives.
- Cell phone users should call *999 motorist assistance for roadway assistance and note the roadway and direction of travel and nearest milepost or crossroad.
About the Illinois Tollway
The Illinois Tollway is a user-fee system that receives no state or federal funds for maintenance and operations. The agency maintains and operates 294 miles of roadways in 12 counties in Northern Illinois, including the Reagan Memorial Tollway (I-88), the Veterans Memorial Tollway (I-355), the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway (I-90), the Tri-State Tollway (I-94/I-294/I-80) and the Illinois Route 390 Tollway.
