QUINCY — Despite the mild fall temperatures, Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police are preparing for winter weather. This year’s safety theme is “Winter Weather – Get it Together.”
Although it may seem early, Michael Runk, highway maintainer at the Quincy Operation Yard, said it’s never to early to begin pepping for winter weather.
“If we don’t prep then it’s like you get caught with your pants down,” Runk said. “We have 15 mainline trucks, we’re not running around getting them ready, they’re already ready. That way all we have to do is take your truck and go.”
The last few years have been abnormal for IDOT. A few years ago the Quincy area was hit by a winter storm on Halloween and IDOT’s temp workers hadn’t started yet. Luckily, last winter was more mild, but IDOT was struggling to be fully staffed. Runk said the focus of this year was getting fully staffed, which has been a success.
Just to show how mild the 2022-23 winter was IDOT District 6 used 12,606 tons of salt that winter. The winter before 35,994 tons were used.
Meteorologists are keeping an eye on the weather, because despite the nice weather, winter is imminent. Once severe weather is on the horizon IDOT is notified.
“They give us a call and that gives us the chance to decide how we’re going to deploy our forces,” said Martin Wagner, operations field manager at IDOT. “We shift from a normal work day to two shifts, we have a day shift and a night shift, it’s a 12 hours shift. Depending on how big the storm is we might only call in three our four trucks or do a full call out. They’ll be out until the storm’s passed and we got everything cleaned up.”
Plow drivers emphasize driving carefully and never crowd the plow.
“Give us room, don’t get on our rear ends because we can’t stop these things after fully loaded on a dime, and a lot of people don’t think of that. They get right on our rear ends, I don’t want no one to get hurt,” Runk said.
Wagner added that they make sure the plow drivers are properly instructed on safe driving.
“We have a safety class we do ahead of time and we discuss the different aspects of their performance, what we want them to do, to be aware of their surroundings all the time,” Wagner said. “They’ve been doing it long enough they know what it takes to stay safe.
Master Sgt. Brice Hager said troopers responds to more crashes in the winter than any time of year. So when you see a vehicle on the side of the road be sure to adhere to Scott’s Law.
“Anytime they see any kind of flashing light on the side of the road, those flashing lights apply to police, firetruck, ambulance, construction truck, plows even a motorist that has their flashers on we encourage motorists to slow down give those motorists plenty of room,” Hager said.
It’s not uncommon for there to be more troopers out before or after a storm hits to help serve the community. He said troopers are encouraged to practice the same safety habits as the public during winter weather.
“We reiterate with our guys safe driving habits just like we tell the regular motoring public; watch your speed, slow down, give plenty of distance and their experience,” Hagar said.
He also encourages motorists to have a safety kit which troopers carry with items like a blanket, extra clothing, water, nonperishable food, a jumper cable, first aid kid and reflectors.
All the officials stated that motorists should not travel during severe weather unless absolutely necessary. If traveling is necessary during winter weather slow down, give yourself plenty of time and give those around you room.