Tips for driving in snow and ice

Memorial Parkway. JD submitted. FTM file. 

The snow came fast and furious yesterday afternoon dumping several inches in the Northern Kentucky area.  D 6 Snowfighters had a hard time keeping up with intensity.  When the snow stopped, crews started making headway.  Trucks plowed and salted roads all night which resulted in wet pavements this morning.  Crews will continue to work throughout the morning cleaning up after this snow storm and work on secondary roadways.   Contractors will remain on duty until 9 AM.

Before this snow storm, District 6 had 29,000 tons of salt in storage facilities.  Current totals aren’t available at this time.

Maintenance crews in KYTC District 6 have responsibility for clearing over 2,000 miles of state-maintained highways in the counties of Boone, Bracken, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Harrison, Kenton, Owen, Pendleton and Robertson. That equates to 4,670   “lane miles” – all driving lanes from rural state roads to interstate highways.  District 6 state maintenance crews are prepared to work to keep roads in the best possible condition during winter weather.

District 6 starts out with 31,350 tons of salt each winter season stored in the domes located at the state maintenance facilities.  There are 130 trucks available to treat state highways and interstates.  In the Northern Kentucky counties of Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties there are 69 trucks are available for snow and ice removal – three of which will concentrate solely on the “Cut in the Hill”, the six mile section of I-75 between Buttermilk Pike and the Brent Spence Bridge.

Reader submitted. A car went off the road and into a ditch on Memorial Parkway. FTM file. 

Every snow storm is different and presents different challenges such as temperature, pavement temperature, timing of snowfall and ice.  Last year District 6 crews used over 44,604 tons of salt, approximately 73,480 gallons of salt brine and 48,325 gallons of liquid chloride for snow and ice.  In all, District 6 spent $7.7 million on equipment, materials and labor.

As KYTC crews have made preparations for clearing roadways, motorists should also be prepared for driving in snow and ice by following these tips:


- Make sure your vehicle is sufficiently winterized – check the battery, antifreeze level, heater, defroster, wipers and windshield washer. Check the forecast and call 511 or visit 511.ky.gov for the latest condition reports before traveling. You can also get traffic information for the District 6 counties at www.facebook.com/KYTC.District6.  Avoid nonessential travel if conditions are dangerous.

- Dress warmly for the weather –in layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing, in anticipation of unexpected emergencies.

- Try to keep your gas tank at least two-thirds full to prevent fuel line freezing and to prepare for possible lengthy delays on the roadway.

- Make sure a friend or relative is aware of your travel route.

- Carry a cell phone.

 - Make sure your vehicle has an emergency care kit. It should include jumper cables, flares or reflectors, windshield washer fluid, an ice scraper, blankets, nonperishable food, a first aid kit, and traction material.

- Drive carefully. Allow plenty of time to get to your destination. Do not use cruise control.

- Give a wide berth to snow removal equipment.

- Remember that bridges and exit and entrance ramps can be icy when other areas are not.

- Stopping in snow requires more braking distance than stopping on dry pavement – up to four times more distance. Make sure to put plenty of distance between yourself and the vehicle ahead.

- Be visible. Dull, cloudy days will cut down on visibility, so drive using low-beam headlights.

- Steer into the skid. Stay calm and ease your foot off the gas while carefully steering in the direction you want the front of your vehicle to go.