A winter weather system is wreaking havoc across much of the great plains. We won't see anything that bad here but the storm could still mess up your Friday morning commute. INDOT said they're preparing to tackle the icy precipitation that's expected Thursday night and Friday morning.
When talking about preparing for his morning commute in the winter weather Michiana Driver Alan Perry said, "I always allow extra time."
In good weather he said his drive only takes 20 to 25 minutes. "A couple times this year it's taken me close to an hour based on fog and snow," said Perry.
INDOT Spokesperson Matt Deitchley said they're ready for a snowy, icy commute. "There's never a down time when we're not ready to cover the roads that morning commute though we're especially diligent though because we know there's going to be a lot of drivers on the road."
Thursday INDOT was preparing for whatever the storm may bring. "First we shifted schedules for plow drivers. Had the dayside drivers come in later so they can stay later. We're pre treating the roads where we can," said Deitchley. They also have drivers patrolling the streets so they can alert the rest of the drivers whenever the road conditions get slippery. "Sometimes you never 100 percent know. Michiana weather is really tricky," said Deitchley. That's why Deitchley said no matter how hard INDOT works, there still may be some slick spots, so remember the winter driving tips of leaving extra time and slowing down.
Even though we've seen plenty of snow this season, Deitchley said there's always some people who forget how to drive in winter conditions, "There's always gonna be drivers out there that are going a little too quickly." Something Alan Perry has witnessed on his morning commute. "Couple years ago I had a car go around me like I was standing still in a blizzard that you couldn't see in and about a mile and half down the road they were nose down in the ditch standing there looking at their car."
