Traffic Payout

by Alice Fiman

Can’t get any more simple, right? Tonight, depending on where you are, you may see both ice and snow. And the combo – which  freezing rain can be the toughest for road crews to treat. Why? Weather.com has a great explanation… just like Goldilocks and the Three Bears, conditions must be just right.

And the way freezing rain impacts traffic, I would change that to just wrong.

The forecast calls for a blast of moisture mixing with the temperatures hovering near freezing overnight and into Tuesday. Our road crews will be out treating roadways, and working to keep traffic moving, now the rest is up to you. We need you to be prepared for black ice, especially those traveling on shaded roadways, bridges and overpasses.

What do we need you to do?  Take the time to protect yourself and your passengers.

• Drive for conditions – slower speeds, slower acceleration. 
• Allow extra time to reach your destination.
• Fill up your gas tank before heading out.
• Prepare for cold temperatures.
• Use your headlights. 
• Four-wheel and all-wheel vehicles do not stop or steer better on ice. 
• Leave extra room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you.  
• Remember, the larger the vehicle, the longer the stopping distance. 
• Slow down when approaching intersections, offramps, bridges, or shady spots.  
• If you find yourself behind a WSDOT truck, stay behind it until it is safe to pass. Remember that truck driver has a limited field of vision. See here for someone who didn’t heed this advice.

• Check road temperatures and highway cameras across the state.
• Find out what’s happening in the Puget Sound region.
• Call 511. WSDOT’s driver information phone line provides real-time traffic, incident and closure information. Out-of-state callers can dial 1-800-695-ROAD (7623). TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388.
• Sign up for email updates and social media tools such as Facebook.
• Follow traveler information on Twitter @wsdot, @wsdot_traffic, @wsdot, sw, @wsdot_passes, @wsdot_tacoma, @SnoqualmiePass,.