Starke County Highway Department Releases Road Safety Reminders

Starke County Highway Department plows have been out on the roads since 8 a.m. Saturday morning and crews will continue plowing throughout the day.

Highway Department officials report the plow drivers are actively working to get the snowy roads cleared. Each driver is responsible for about 90 lane miles of roads and it takes them about 5 or 6 hours to complete their routes.

If you’ve been out on the roads you’ve likely encountered some significant drifting on the roadways. Drifts are apparently difficult to keep cleared from the streets because once a driver plows a drift, it begins forming again before they can finish that stretch of roadway. Drivers are asked to be aware of the “fingers” of drifting snow, especially at night.

On their social media account, the Highway Department noted that one big problem that drivers were experiencing this morning was motorists who were driving too fast, without their lights on. The blowing snow can make vehicles difficult to see, even in the daylight, so lights should be turned on.

Reps said when road conditions are hazardous, drivers should be traveling well under the posted speed limit. They added that stopping distances on snow/ice covered roads are over three times longer than normal. Drive slower and brake sooner to ensure you and fellow motorists will stay safe on the roads this winter