RIDOT launches winter weather page as snow season approaches

The first snowfall of the year may have come and gone without much accumulation, but the R.I. Department of Transportation (RIDOT) is reminding drivers that winter weather is likely not far away. To help Rhode Islanders prepare, RIDOT launched a new webpage, dot.ri.gov/winter, offering valuable winter driving tips, statistics and links to other travel planning resources.

“With winter now upon us, it’s a good time to remind ourselves about safe driving practices as well as steps we should take to ready our vehicles for travel,” said RIDOT Director Michael P. Lewis. “Wearing a seat belt, reducing speed, outfitting vehicles with emergency supplies and sharing the road with plows are all important – especially when traveling in inclement weather.”

The new webpage includes information for getting vehicles ready for difficult travel conditions. Links to RIDOT’s Twitter feed, traffic cameras and travel times are also included for up-to-the-minute information on road conditions.

Visitors to the page will also learn about RIDOT’s approach to winter storm operations and recent steps taken to “green” these operations. For example, state plows are now equipped with GPS devices and more precise salt metering systems to better control and track the application of salt – the most costly component of winter storm operations.