It's time to plan ahead for a few months.  Winter driving in Wisconsin isn't always easy but it doesn't have to be hard.  With a little planning, you can get there safe and sound.

If you need to take off on a trip and want to find out what the roads are like, both Wisconinsin and Minnesota offer websites and numbers you can call from the road to check on road conditions. 

	To check the WI DOT Road Conditions website, just click the logo to the left.  If you want to check from the road, you can call 1-800-ROAD-WIS 24 hours a day.  You'll receive a recording that is updated daily at 6:00am, 10:00am, 3:00pm and 7:00pm.
	If you're heading into Minnesota and want to check ahead to see what shape roads are in, click on their logo over to the left.  You can also dial 511 from your cel phone as you're driving.

Some general Winter Safety Tips

Avoid unnecessary travel during winter storms.

Always consult one of the above sites to check road conditions before your trip.

Get your vehicle winterized.

Have your anti-freeze, battery, brakes, heater, exhaust system and lights tested.

Never travel with less than a half tank of gas.

Equip you're vehicle with: booster cables, road flares, a shovel, salt, extra warm clothes, sleeping bag or blankets, hat, mittens, and boots, windshield scraper and towrope.

Always carry a winter survival kit. Include flashlights, blankets, hand/foot warmer packets, first aid supplies, high energy candy or snacks, bright fabric to tie on the antenna for help if stranded, candles to melt snow for drinking water, pencil, paper and cell phone or change for phone calls.

Notify others of travel plans. Tell someone where you are going and the route. Report a safe arrival.



Winter driving tips

Slow down and stay behind the snowplows. Drivers should allow at least five car lengths between their vehicles and snowplows.  The road behind the plow will be the safest place to drive.

Be particularly aware of black ice conditions on surfaces such as bridge decks and entrance and exit ramps.

Turn on  headlights and turn off  cruise control settings.



What to do if you are stranded in a winter storm

Stay in your vehicle. Walking away in a storm is very dangerous. You can lose your way, wander out of reach and/or become exhausted. Your vehicle is your best shelter.

Keep fresh air in your vehicle. It's better to be chilly and awake than to be comfortably warm and be overcome with carbon monoxide fumes. Keep your exhaust pipe free of snow and run your engine only for short periods of time, leaving a downwind window slightly open.

Keep warm without fuel. Keep your blood circulating freely. Loosen tight clothing and change positions frequently. Move your arms and legs, massage fingers and toes; tuck your hands between your legs or under your armpits. Cuddle with each other to share heat. Elevate your feet to improve circulation.

Call 911 if you have a cell phone. Describe your location, the condition of those in the car and what happened. Stay on the line until you know who you have spoken with and what will happen next.