Courtesy of INDOT

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is preparing for the winter season with a district-wide training exercise on Monday, December 2nd. Starting Monday morning, motorists will see INDOT Southeast’s fleet of more than 170 yellow trucks on state-operated highways and highways to test equipment and familiarize themselves with assigned routes.

“This is an opportunity for our new drivers to receive on-road training and for more experienced drivers to share their knowledge,” said Nick Evans, INDOT’s winter operations manager. “We will treat this exercise like a true winter weather event from start to finish. Our goal is to ensure crews and their trucks are ready to respond when snow and ice arrive.”

The winter operations teams are on duty between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. No materials such as salt or brine will be applied during the exercise.

INDOT offers the following tips for safe winter travel:

• Slow down and adjust your ride to the conditions, especially on snow-covered roads
• “Don’t crowd the plow” (don’t tailgate or drive next to a snowplow) – drive past carefully
• Always carry an emergency kit in your vehicle with items such as food, water, a phone charger, sand or kitty litter, flares or bright LED alternatives, a flashlight, and blankets
• Keep your vehicle full of fuel and check the battery, fluids and spare tire
• Stay up to date on the weather by contacting your local National Weather Service office

Motorists can stay informed about road conditions during a winter storm by checking INDOT’s TrafficWise map at 511in.org or downloading the mobile app on Apple or Android devices.

Learn more about INDOT winter operations at indotwinterops.com.