SUN CITY — Whether snowflakes bring to mind memories of sledding and skating or aggravation at the thought of shovels and standstills, one fact is sure: winter calls for a change of driving habits.
Last year, the Chicago area experienced a milder winter with relatively little snowfall. For the 2012-2013 winter, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts a drier-than-average winter for Northeastern Illinois.
Whether or not much snowfall is seen this year, certain measures taken by any driver can help offset the risks and challenges of driving in cold weather.
Illinois Department of Transportation spokesperson Josh Kauffman suggests drivers keep a kit in their car containing items like jumper cables, road flares, washer fluid, an ice scraper, non-perishable food, and a blanket.
For information on road conditions: Visit wrc.gettingaroundillinois.com
Some aspects of car maintenance become particularly important in winter, like monitoring air pressure in tires. Drivers should keep in mind that for every 10 degree (Fahrenheit) drop in temperature, tire air pressure drops by 1 psi. Kauffman also recommends keeping gas tanks at least two-thirds full to prevent fuel lines from freezing.
Another hazard of winter that comes regardless of snowfall is ice. Drivers are advised to slow down when approaching intersections and ramps, as well as bridges, which freeze over faster than other roads. Black ice, which is more difficult to spot, is found in shaded spots.
Though cold weather calls for specific maintenance and techniques, winter months are not the deadliest for Illinois drivers. That distinction belongs to summer months. December was the deadliest winter month of 2011 with 73 fatal crashes according to an IDOT report. This, however, was still less than September’s total of 87, which yielded the fewest fatalities of the summer months. Kaufmann attributed the discrepancy to more drivers being on the road in summer.
Illinois drivers are currently in the thick of the holiday season, and according to recent data, are heading into the most accident-prone holiday.
In another IDOT report, it was found that between 2007 and 2011, the days around Christmas averaged 3400 crashes in Illinois per year. This ranked higher than the same five-year averages for Thanksgiving (3361), New Years (2536), and Memorial Day (2437).
Come the first major snowfall, many drivers will find themselves following behind large trucks with shovels. The fleet of shoveled trucks and responsibility for clearing up Illinois’ busiest roads falls upon IDOT.
“IDOT is fully prepared for the upcoming winter season with sufficient snow removal supplies and staff and will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement and transportation partners to make state roadways as clear and safe as possible,” Kauffman said.
IDOT maintains the website wrc.gettingaroundillinois.com, which provides consistently updated information on road conditions across the state.
Kauffman explained that the website is one of several measures IDOT takes to ensure safety with programs targeting impaired and distracted drivers, safety belt usage, and motorcycle safety.
“It’s a very comprehensive approach that we take to further decrease the number of fatalities and crashes on Illinois roadways,” he said.
