Are you Idaho Ready for winter driving?
Whether you’ve lived in Idaho your whole life or are a new resident, it’s important to do everything you can to prepare for an Idaho winter.
511 Road Report & Cameras
Winter driving tips
- Slow down and leave plenty of room between cars.
- Buckle up and drive engaged. Be aware of your surroundings.
- Bridges and overpasses are the first to freeze.
- When roads are icy, do not use cruise control. Cruise control can continue to accelerate your vehicle if you start to skid or slide.
- If your vehicle starts to slide, do not slam on the brakes or overcorrect. Steer gently into the skid.
Snowplow safety reminders
During the winter, ITD has over 400 snowplows clearing and treating approximately 13,000 lane miles statewide.
- When driving near a snowplow, the safest place is behind the plow.
Give plows lots of room to work
- Plows are 12 feet wide with another 10 feet wide wing plow that can be extended on either side of the truck.
- Plows have large blind spots. Don’t follow too closely, and don’t pass too close to the plow.
Prepare for travels on ice and snow
- Be Idaho Ready – YouTube Video
- Learn how to prepare your vehicle for winter travel.
Schedule a S.N.O.W. winter driving presentation
SNOW stands for Safely Navigate Our Winter, and SNOW education events share safety tips for winter driving and give hands-on experiences with plow trucks to drivers, students and other interested groups upon request.
ITD snowplow operators visit your group and share their experiences keeping the roads safe. SNOW aims to teach drivers about snowplow safety with a short presentation and tour of a snowplow. It’s a way to connect drivers directly with the people and equipment that keep the roads safe and reduce the number of winter crashes.
Request a SNOW presentation
Fill out a request form & an employee will be in touch within 5 days to schedule a presentation. Scheduling is subject to weather conditions, as plows are often in use & may not be available.