As the winter storm season gets into full swing in Maricopa County, MCDOT reminds drivers to put safety first behind the wheel.
MCDOT offers several tips to help drivers for driving in winter storms:
•Plan ahead: Stay on top of the current weather forecasts and subscribe to cellular weather notification service.
•Inspect your vehicle: Make sure windshield wipers are working correctly. Check tire tread. Replace any headlights or brake lights that are out.
•Pack your patience and focus on safety: Leave early to allow for extra travel time. Slow down when roads are wet. Don’t tailgate. It takes three times longer to stop on a wet road than a dry one. Drive with your headlights on in the rain to increase your visibility. Wear your seatbelt.
•Never cross a flooded road: Driving around road barricades is illegal and dangerous. As little as 10 inches of water is enough to move a full-sized vehicle. If there is water in the road, don’t take the chance. Find an alternate route or wait it out. If your vehicle is suddenly caught in rising water, leave it immediately and seek higher ground.
• If a traffic signal is out, treat the intersection as a four-way stop
•Put your phone down: Don’t try to take pictures of the storm driving. Save the picture taking for when you’re safely pulled off to the side of the road.
For more information for flood preparedness and recovery, contact the Maricopa County Flood Control District at http://www.fcd.maricopa.gov