MA State Police: Strategies to Stay Safe in Snowy Weather

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

GoLocal Worcester News Team

The Massachusetts State Police has released a statement reminding motorists of to be safe while traveling before and during the upcoming storm. Several strategies to stay safe have been provided by the Mass State Police:

1. Follow the MA State Police on social media for weather and traffice updates: We post road closures and traffic advisories on Twitter frequently, @MassStatePolice. In addition, follow Colonel Timothy Alben @TimAlben, Lieutenant Daniel Richard @DGR2564, and Trooper Dustin Fitch @DustinGFitch for informative updates. We also encourage you to follow our partners, Massachusetts Department of Transportation @MassDOT and Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency @MassEMA. State and some local agencies are also using the hashtag #MAsnow and #MAwx while posting weather related updates.

2. Stay Informed: Anytime there is a possibility of power outages, make sure your devices are fully charged. Download the State Police smartphone app, “Mass SP” to stay up to date from all of our digital media, including real-time alerts. You can also find links to our smartphone application here: MSPnews.org/smartphone-application/

3. Take Note of the Local Forecast: The State Police encourage motorists to take note of local forecasts and plan accordingly for adverse weather conditions. Motorists are reminded that they can dial 511 on their cell phones for current traffic and road conditions on Massachusetts Highways.

4. Vehicle Preparation: With a forecast of inclement weather, motorists should ensure that their vehicles are well maintained and properly equipped for winter driving. Motorists should check the fluid levels of their vehicles, particularly washer fluid and anti-freeze, to make sure that they are at adequate levels. Tires should be inspected to ensure that they are properly inflated and have sufficient tread depth. Motorists should equip their vehicles with a snow shovel, ice scraper, jumper cables, flares, a flashlight and some warm clothing and blankets. Additionally, motorists are reminded to completely clear their vehicles of snow and ice prior to driving, including all lights, for visibility. Clearing vehicles of snow and ice enhances the safety of all motorists by providing an unobstructed view to the operator and prevents snow and ice from flying off vehicles at high speeds and posing a hazard to others on the road. Motorists should also carry a charged cellular phone.

5. Reduce Speed: Anticipate delays. Most snow- and ice-related crashes are caused by spin-outs and vehicles sliding off the road because they are traveling at speeds too great for the road and weather conditions. Posted speed limits are set for driving under optimal, dry conditions. If road and weather conditions are adverse, motorists should operate at a speed well below the posted limit.

6. Leave Extra Space Between Vehicles: Under optimal driving conditions, motorists should leave at least one car length for every ten miles per hour between them and the vehicle in front of them. If the road and weather conditions are adverse, that distance should be significantly increased in order to afford for increased stopping distances.

7. Black Ice: Transparent ice may form on the roadway. If you notice ice forming on any objects, assume that it is forming on the road surface as well. Bridges are usually the first surfaces to freeze. Drive slowly and, if possible, avoid driving on iced-over surfaces.

8. Buckle Up: Ensuring everyone in your vehicle is properly restrained is the single most effective thing that motorists can do to keep themselves and their loved ones safe on the roads.

9/ Dial 911 in Roadway Emergencies: In any weather conditions, motorists who become disabled or encounter an emergency on the roadways should dial 911 on their cellular phones to immediately be connected to a State Police Communications Center. Motorists should always be aware of their location, noting the route they are traveling on and the number of the exit they most recently passed.

Related Slideshow: The 10 Worst Blizzards in Central MA History

Prev Next

#10 Blizzard of February 2006

Dates: February 11-13, 2006

Accumulation: Approximately 22 inches

This Nor'easter interrupted everybody's Valentine's Day plans, and resulted in coastal flooding and heavy snow.

Prev Next

#9 Blizzard of December 2010

Dates: December 22-29, 2010

Accumulation: Approximately 24 inches

A State of Emergency was declared in Boston when this Christmas storm hit and kept families home for the holidays. Worcester saw two feet of snow during this white Christmas.

Prev Next

#8 NEMO 2013

Dates: February 7-18, 2013

Accumulation: Approximately 25 inches

NEMO singlehandedly shut down every road in Worcester. Dropping more than two feet of snow in the city, a driving ban was put into effect.

Prev Next

#7 Nor'Easter of '69

Dates: February 8-10, 1969

Accumulation: Approximately 26 inches

Bryan Adams didn't write a song about Nor'Easter of '69 because it would have been miserable to listen to. Even worse to experience.

Prev Next

#6 Blizzard of February 2003

Dates: February 14-19, 2003

Accumulation: Approximately 27.5 inches

This storm interrupted both Valentine's Day and President's Day. Named 'President's Day Storm II,' this storm set a record in Boston with more than 27 inches.

Prev Next

#5 Blizzard of January 1996

Dates: January 6-10, 1996

Accumulation: Approximately 30 inches

Not even a week into 1996, this storm blanketed parts of Massachusetts with upwards of 30 inches of snow. It is one of two blizzards to receive an “extreme” rating on the Northeast Snowfall Impact Scale.

Prev Next

#4 Blizzard of February 1978

Dates: February 5-7, 1978

Accumulations: Approximately 32 inches

Many in the Worcester area argue that this is the worst storm the city has ever seen. 73 people in Massachusetts died because of this storm. At the time, it set a Boston record for 32 inches of snow over a 2 day period.

Prev Next

#3 April Fool's Blizzard of 1997

Dates: March 30 - April 1, 1997

Accumulations: Approximately 33 inches

This storm wasn't messing around with anyone. Over three days, and ending on April Fool's Day, the storm dropped 33 inches of snow on Central MA.

Prev Next

#2 Blizzard of January 2005

Dates: January 20-23, 2005

Accumulations: Approximately 40 inches

This three-day storm droppped nearly 40 inches of snow in Central Massachusetts over a 3 day period.

Prev Next

#1 Great Blizzard of 1888

Dates: March 11-14, 1888

Accumulations: Approximately 50 inches

One of the most severe recorded blizzards in the history of the United States, this superstorm dumped as much as 50 inches of snow in parts of Massachusetts. It affected the entire country.

In New York City, they suffered so much damage to power lines and cables, that this storm single handedly is responsible for implementing running cable underground.