By MIKE FLETCHER
Road conditions
For Indiana road conditions call (317) 232-8298 or 800-261-7623 or visit the Indiana State Police Web site at www.in.gov/isp.
Be prepared:
• Before traveling, check the forecast and let someone know your travel route.
• Keep your gas tank at least half-full.
• Carry a winter driving kit that should include blankets, flashlight, extra batteries, a brightly colored cloth, sand (or cat litter), shovel, candle, matches, non-perishable high calorie food, first aid kit, and jumper cables.
• Slow down on snow/ice covered roads.
• Allow extra time to arrive at your destination.
• Clear all windows of ice and snow and remove snow from hood, roof, and lights.
• Use extra caution when driving across bridges, underpasses, shaded areas and intersections where ice is slow to melt.
• Avoid abrupt stops and starts. Slow down gradually.
• Use low beam headlights to decrease glare from ice.
Should you become stranded:
• Don’t leave your car. It’s the best protection you have.
• Tie a brightly colored cloth to your antenna.
• Roll down your window a small amount.
• Keep the exhaust pipe free of blockage to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Don’t panic. An idling car uses approximately one gallon of gas per hour.
City and county police worked more than 40 traffic accidents Monday due to the light snowfall and icy roadways.
The snowfall was the first significant winter weather for the Howard County area.
The Kokomo Police Department investigated about 31 traffic accidents between 2 and 10 p.m. Monday, Lt. Michael Vautaw reported Tuesday.
Fortunately, there were no serious injuries reported due to any of the traffic accidents investigated within the city limits. But the accidents totaled several thousands of dollars in property damage.
Police remind motorists that it is the time of year when roadways can deteriorate quickly and become slick and hazardous. Motorists are urged to drive with extreme caution if they must drive during winter weather.
Howard County sheriff deputies worked 13 traffic accidents during the same time period with no serious injuries reported.
With snow and ice in the forecast for later this week, city, state and county police warn motorists of the dangers of slick roads.
Snow and ice on roadways can cause driving conditions to change quickly.
State police reported a number of accidents Monday evening and Tuesday morning, but no major crashes were reported, Trooper Brad Dean of the Indiana State Police Peru Post.
While the snow is gone for now, it will remain cold enough for some slick spots to remain on city and county streets. On Wednesday, roads may turn slick again as a mixture of rain and snow is expected. A cold front will arrive in the area by the end of the week with more snow expected, according to the National Weather Service.
