In an effort to be proactive during the winter months, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is already preparing its roads and highways for winter weather.
“We have our mechanics in, and they are taking a look at all of our equipment. Basically, they are doing 150-point inspections on all our plow trucks and loaders, all of our equipment to make sure that it is running correctly,” ODOT Public Information Officer Mandi Dillon told News Center 7.
According to ODOT, it is diligent about completing this work every year.
“The idea is to get everything up and running so that we are ready the minute the first storm,” Dillon said.
ODOT highway maintenance workers Charles Ashmore spoke to how quick workers try to be after getting the call to begin plowing.
“We come in before the storm to try to be proactive and get on it before it ever gets bad,” Ashmore said.
“We’re trying to make sure we’re throwing salt and the snow and everything the right way, then we have our calibrations where our salt, our liquids, they have to raise the bed,” Ashmore said.
To stay safe on the roads during winter, ODOT gives a few tips:
- Avoid slamming on your brakes or gas
- Don’t turn the cruise control on
- Be extra aware of your surroundings
- Leave a longer following distance between you and other cars, especially if it’s a plow truck
“Give us room to do our job, it would make everything a whole lot easier but a lot of people don’t do that, they are in a big hurry to get nowhere,” Ashmore said.
Ashmore said plow trucks can slip on the roads just like every other car. It is crucial that drivers give them space while working to clear the roads.
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Source: WHIOTV7 News
