Lowell-- During the recent significant weather event on Friday, December 16, the Indiana State Police Lowell District Troopers responded to numerous call of service on I-80/94 and I-65. The calls ranged from disabled vehicles to crashes involving personal injury.
Troopers responded to 72 calls which resulted in the following: 28 Assisted Motorists (flat tires, out of fuel, etc), 22 slide offs (no crash report), 16 property damage crashes and 6 personal injury crashes. None of the injury crashes involved fatalities.
The Indiana State Police would like to remind drivers to drive defensively during winter weather events. Often times bridge decks freeze first followed by open areas. Use extra caution when approaching these areas. Motorists should also leave increased stopping distances between vehicles, reduce normal traveling speeds, slowing down for emergency vehicles and emergency lighting and if travel is deemed necessary, to plan accordingly by leaving earlier and allowing extra travel time to reach your destination safely. Travelers are also encouraged to ensure you have adequate fuel, blankets, food, water, emergency flares and a cell phone charger just to name a few items of importance.
Travelers can obtain current local and state road and weather conditions by calling the INDOT road conditions phone line at 1-800-261-7623 or by going online at pws.trafficwise.org and indot.carsprogram.org These provide real-time traffic and road conditions and are very helpful and easy to use. If you have an EMERGENCY call 911.
M/Trp. Glen Fifield
Indiana State Police
District #13
