Date:  Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Contact: Alice Fiman, WSDOT Communications, 360-705-7080 (Olympia) Sean McDermott, WSDOT Communications, 206-440-4788 (Seattle) Mike Westbay, WSDOT Communications, 509-728-4712 (Yakima) Jeff Adamson, WSDOT Communications 509-667-2815 (Wenatchee) Lisa Murdock, WSDOT Communications, 360-357-2789 (Olympic Region) Melanie Coon, WSDOT Communications, 360-705-7078 (Southwest Washington) Al Gilson, WSDOT Communications, 509-324-6015 (Spokane)

OLYMPIA – With more snow, ice and wind in the forecast, WSDOT advises drivers to prepare for winter driving conditions across the state.

Forecasters say the snow will start in Whatcom County late today, moving south and east by Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday Puget Sound evening commuters will see snow and ice.

We are watching weather forecasts and crews are out night and day patrolling roads, treating highways and plowing snow. To prepare for this next round of winter weather, we have serviced the trucks and replenished our stockpiles of deicer, salt and sand.

Most of the state should be below freezing through the Christmas holiday, with heavy snow and winds in the mountain passes and throughout Eastern Washington.

Drivers should be prepared for roadway ice, know their vehicle, drive for conditions, carry chains, slow down and give yourself extra time to reach your destination safely. Slow down when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shady spots. These all have potential to develop black ice that makes driving hazardous.

Know Before you go:

• Get information from our Web site at 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. Out-of-state callers can access the information at call 1-800-695-ROAD (7623).
• At www.wsdot.wa.gov/winter, drivers can find WSDOT’s winter driving-related information, including preparing a vehicle for winter driving, safe driving tips and mountain pass travel advisories. The WSDOT winter site also offers information about chains, winter tires and how WSDOT maintenance crews work in winter weather.
• On WSDOT’s website, www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/weather, drivers can look at roadway temperatures and see camera images from across the state.
• At www.wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts, a map shows highway incidents and closures.
• 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: http://twitter.com/wsdot. 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.

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.

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