Kentucky Transportation Cabinet officials say motorists need to share their destination with friends if they intend to travel overnight Thursday due to icy road conditions.
District 2 spokeswoman Keirsten Jaggers says icy road conditions will persist overnight Thursday as temperatures fall into the 20s and freezing rain continues into Friday morning and throughout the day.
Jaggers adds ice-covered power lines and trees will also create issues across the District 2 region overnight with the possibility of falling trees and downed power lines.
She encourages anyone who must drive to let someone know your destination before you get on the road. She adds you also need to check the road conditions between destination points at goky.ky.gov.
According to Jaggers, their crews ask motorists to be aware of snow and ice operations and avoid situations like trailing too close or passing a plow. They also ask for your patience. She says with a number of events in recent days, crews have worked long hours and some county staffing levels become critical when consecutive shifts are needed. She adds crews are performing as best they can with available resources.
Jaggers notes the highest priority for snow-clearing efforts are Priority A routes include critical state routes and those most heavily traveled, such as interstates and main roads between counties or to hospitals with Priority B and C routes including other important but lesser-traveled state routes.
KYTC continues to encourage motorists to remain safe by following these tips:
– When snow and/or ice are on roadways, drive slowly no matter what type of vehicle you are in. It takes more time and distance to stop your vehicle in adverse weather conditions, so break early and slowly.
– Pay attention to weather advisories. Weather will impact your commute on some level.
– Slow down when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges, and shaded areas. These are all candidates for developing black ice—a thin coating of clear ice that can form on the pavement surface that may be difficult to see.
– Maintain a safe distance from snowplows and other heavy highway equipment.
– Do not pass snowplows on the shoulder.
– Allow more time to travel for routine commutes.
– Make sure your phone is charged.
KYTC District 2 includes the counties of Caldwell, Christian, Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, Hopkins, McLean, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Union, & Webster Counties
