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Published February 19, 2013, 04:24 PM

Blowing, drifting snow causes hazardous road conditions

Tuesday afternoon the Wisconsin Department of Transportation issued an alert, warning all travelers of the hazardous driving conditions they may encounter across the state.

Tuesday afternoon the Wisconsin Department of Transportation issued an alert, warning all travelers of the hazardous driving conditions they may encounter across the state.

High winds, at times reaching 25 mph, are causing poor visibility and large snow drifts in some areas of the state. In addition, many areas are still icy following last night’s freeze. The combination of these two elements, as well as the potential for additional snow showers in some areas, could prove to be dangerous for some motorists, according to the advisory.

WisDOT advises travelers to check winter road conditions before leaving home by calling 5-1-1 or visiting Wisconsin 511 online at 511wi.gov.

As always, follow these tips during winter travel:

  • Leave at least 500 feet of distance between your vehicle and a snowplow, salt truck or another vehicle. Drive at a safe and legal speed for conditions.

  • Make sure your gas tank is full and you have some food, warm blankets and clothing in the vehicle in case of emergency.

  • Drive alert and sober.

  • Always wear seatbelts.

  • Make sure your cell phone is fully charged and working, and keep both hands on the wheel while driving.

  • Tell others about your travel route and itinerary.

    Additional winter driving tips can be found on WisDOT's website: www.dot.wisconsin.gov/safety/motorist/winterdriving

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