Documentary-style shorts search to boost consciousness about being ready
Colorado Division of Transportation has launched a brand new winter driving security marketing campaign to organize drivers for the approaching season. (Jerry McBride/Durango Herald file)
With winter effectively on its means, the Colorado Division of Transportation launched an academic video sequence this week about protected practices for winter driving.
The sequence known as “Winter Driving within the Wild.” The primary video is narrated by a David Attenborough-esque voice.
“The entire level of this marketing campaign is to give attention to driver habits,” mentioned CDOT spokeswoman Lisa Schwantes. “It’s driver habits that’s behind a lot of our crashes that occur. Whether or not it’s driving distracted or driving below the affect, or simply driving unprepared.”
CDOT launched the primary video within the sequence on Monday, and can proceed to launch extra as winter approaches.
The sequence will embody movies in regards to the passenger automobile traction regulation, tire and snowplow security, winter preparedness ideas and a information for winter driving sources.
“Motorists who’re unprepared for winter highway situations create harmful conditions for themselves and everybody on the highway, to not point out the prolonged delays we see from spinouts, slide-offs and crashes,” mentioned Andrew Hogle, CDOT public info officer, in a information launch.
In Southwest Colorado, CDOT acknowledges 5 extremely traveled mountain roads as main passes, together with Pink Mountain, Coal Financial institution, Molas, Lizard Head and Wolf Creek.
Schwantes mentioned Wolf Creek Move is usually essentially the most harmful of the most important passes in Southwest Colorado.
“U.S. Freeway 160 Wolf Creek Move may be very good and huge in some areas, which makes the move very deceiving so that you can acquire velocity as you head down the move from the summit,” she mentioned.
Whereas not one of many space’s main passes, Schwantes mentioned Hesperus Hill is one other space that drivers ought to be aware of this winter.
“Hesperus Hill is 1,000 toes greater than Durango, so it is going to get double the quantity of snow that town of Durango will get,” she mentioned. “Even heading 15 miles west out of Durango, of us should be ready for a change in climate and highway situations.”
CDOT reminds drivers that having correct traction for winter climate is not only protected, it’s the regulation.
When a passenger automobile traction regulation is in impact, all drivers are required to have correct tires or chains for his or her automobile.
In a January 2020 research, CDOT discovered that 91% of in-state autos surveyed have been in compliance with the passenger automobile traction regulation, and 86% of out-of-state autos have been in compliance.
“The Traction Legislation is activated for security and effectivity functions,” Hogle mentioned. “If everybody on the highway has sufficient tires and tread, then we’ll see fewer crashes and cut back delay instances.”
Earlier than touring this winter, CDOT recommends checking climate situations, planning a route upfront, checking tires and understanding the legal guidelines.
Whereas on the highway, CDOT asks drivers to ensure headlights are on, and hold speeds in step with visibility of the highway forward.
It’s unlawful to move a snowplow when it’s working its lights, or when it’s working in a tandem formation with a number of snowplows.
CDOT has a number of online resources for drivers to remain updated on issues like highway situations, journey alerts and scheduled lane closures.
njohnson@durangoherald.com
