Date:  Sunday, December 14, 2008

Contact: Public Inquiries: Call 5-1-1 or 1-800-695-ROAD.

The following are media only contact numbers: 
Alice Fiman, WSDOT Communications, 360-789-4035 (Olympia)
Sean McDermott, WSDOT Communications, 206-437-6314 (Seattle tonight)
For the Seattle Area, after 4 a.m. Monday WSDOT will have staff available for updates in the Seattle Traffic Management Center at 206-440-4788 (Seattle)
Mike Westbay, WSDOT Communications, 509-728-4712 (Snoqualmie Pass)
Lisa Murdock, WSDOT Communications, 360-357-2789 (Pierce County and Olympic Peninsula) 
Melanie Coon, WSDOT Communications, 360-507-4242 (Southwest Washington)

OLYMPIA - As the threat of snow fades, drivers should prepare for ice on area roads overnight and into Monday's commute.

Forecasts indicate most of the state will stay below freezing for two to three days.

The Vancouver/Portland area, Spokane and the Olympic Peninsula areas could take the brunt of today's snowfall, but weather reports say the snow will stop by midnight in most of Washington.

Then comes the very cold temperatures and wind, which will freeze that snow and rain to area roadways. Remember, if there is ice on your windshield, there is ice on the road.

WSDOT will be out treating and clearing roadways overnight and through the morning, but drivers should be prepared and find out about road conditions before they leave home or work. Those in higher elevations and rural areas should be especially ready for black ice.

Drivers who are ready for the weather and drive safely help WSDOT and themselves. One spin-out can block traffic for hours and cause additional incidents. And, clearing incidents can also take our crews away from road-clearing activities.

Here's what drivers can do:

• On ice and snow, take it slow.
• Give yourself extra time to reach your destination safely. It's not worth putting yourself and others in a dangerous situation just to save time.
• Slow down when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shady spots. These all have potential to develop black ice that makes driving hazardous.
• Plan extra time to cross all mountain passes, including heavily-traveled routes such as I-90 Snoqualmie Pass, US 2 Stevens Pass, and US 12 White Pass.
• Carry chains and know the traction and chain requirements - Mountain pass traction and chain requirements are available on highway advisory signs and highway advisory radio. When those advisories call for chains, drivers who don't chain up will face a $500 penalty.

Know Before you go:

• Get information from our Web site at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ before you leave your home or office.
• 511 - This driver information phone line provides real-time traffic, incident and closure information. TTY users can call 1-800-833-6388.
• Sign up for news. WSDOT offers subscribers more than 25 specialized e-mail alerts, including news and information for freight haulers, construction related traffic revisions, project updates from all around the state, and timely updates on pass conditions. Visit www.wsdot.wa.gov and click the link for "E-mail updates."
• Twitter users can add WSDOT to their personal accounts at:
  www.wsdot.wa.gov/news/. Go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/inform/twitter for more details.

On the Road:

•  Overhead and roadside electronic signs *Highway advisory radio - WSDOT advises drivers to program 530AM and 1610AM on your radio.

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WSDOT keeps people, businesses and the economy moving by operating and improving the state's transportation systems. To learn more about what we're doing, go to www.wsdot.wa.gov/news for pictures, videos, news and blogs. Real time traffic information is available at www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic or by dialing 5-1-1.

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