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| Prepare for stormy conditions |
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Whenever there’s a chance of stormy conditions, Oregon Department of Transportation officials encourage drivers to prepare their vehicles for winter driving conditions and drive with extra caution.
Before traveling to areas that may have hazardous conditions, double-check the condition of your vehicle:
- Ensure the heater and defroster are working properly.
- Test all lights. Carry spare bulbs.
- Use antifreeze that's good to -25F; check and fill washer and other fluids and make sure hoses aren't loose or brittle.
- Keep wipers clean and in good condition; fill the windshield washer tank.
- Make certain your battery is fully charged; also check battery age and make sure cables are not loose or corroded.
- Ensure your tires are in good condition and properly inflated for best traction, including your spare.
- Carry chains or use traction tires in winter.
- Keep an automotive safety kit in your vehicle.
If you are driving in areas that have ice or snow on the road, adjust your driving to fit conditions and remember these winter driving tips:
- Turn off your cruise control.
- If you lose traction and your vehicle feels like it’s floating, gradually slow down. Don’t slam on the brakes.
- Use caution when driving on bridges or concrete highways. These surfaces are the first to freeze and become slippery when the temperature drops.
- Slow down in advance of shaded areas, especially on curves. Shaded areas are cooler and may have ice that is difficult to see.
- Don’t pass snowplows or sanders, and don’t follow them too closely.
Make sure your vehicle is stocked with:
- Rechargeable flashlight
- Cell phone and car adapter
- Extra food and water
- Flares
- Tools: jack, lug wrench, shovel
- Road maps
- Blanket/sleeping bag(s)
- Extra warm clothes, boots, hat and gloves
- First aid kit
- Pocket knife
- Matches or lighter
- Battery jumper cables
- Ice scraper and snow brush
- Paper towels
- Extra washer fluid
- Chains or traction tires
- A full fuel tank
If you travel with an infant or baby, pack extra food, warm clothes and blankets, toys and games, and extra diapers just in case. Remember to use your child safety seat properly.
Before leaving, tell a friend where you are going, the planned route, and when anticipate arriving. Keep them updated on any major route or arrival changes.
Oregon’s weather can change quickly and without warning. For road conditions in Oregon, call 511 or (800) 977-ODOT (6368). Outside Oregon, dial (503) 588-2941. Reports are available 24 hours a day.
Visit www.TripCheck.com for information on road and weather conditions, incidents and traffic delays. Links to cameras on many mountain passes and major routes give real-time views of road conditions. The site also provides links to bus, train and airport information.
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| Driving in the rain |
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Rain creates a variety of dangerous conditions: visibility is reduced, traction between tires and the road is reduced and your car handles with less predictability than in dry-road conditions. Take precautionary measures: start by allowing additional time to reach your destination.
- Slow down, especially through high water. Driving through several inches of water at high speed can cause you to lose control of the car. Driving fast through puddles could splash water into the engine and stall it. Lowering your speed helps you prepare for sudden stops caused by disabled cars, debris and other wet-weather hazards.
- Turn on your headlights to improve visibility.
- Disengage your cruise control.
- Keep your distance. A car needs two to three times more stopping distance on wet roads.
Vehicle maintenance during wet weather
The most common vehicle deficiencies include weak batteries, worn or damaged wiper blades, clogged air filters, low washer fluid, dirty or low motor oil and low anti-freeze levels. In low-visibility conditions, the windshield wipers and defroster help keep your view clear. Check them both to make sure they are working properly and replace the wipers if brittle or damaged.
- Check your brakes. After driving through a puddle, check that brakes are working properly by tapping them gently a few times.
- Check your tires. Make sure tires are in good condition and are at the recommended inflation level. Tires should have at least 1/32 of an inch tread depth at any two adjacent grooves, the minimum allowable by law. Driving on over-inflated or under-inflated tires is dangerous on wet pavement.
Watch out for hydroplaning conditions
Hydroplaning occurs when your front tires surf on a film of water. It can occur at speeds as low as 35 miles per hour, especially if tires are worn. If you hydroplane, ease off the gas, gently apply the brakes and steer straight ahead.
Oregon’s weather can change quickly and without warning. For road conditions in Oregon, call 511 or (800) 977-ODOT (6368). Outside Oregon, dial (503) 588-2941. Reports are available 24 hours a day.
Visit www.TripCheck.com for information on road and weather conditions, incidents and traffic delays. Links to cameras on many mountain passes and major routes give real-time views of road conditions. The site also provides links to bus, train and airport information.
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| Low-visibility driving |
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Nighttime driving is more difficult because visibility is reduced. However, low visibility conditions often occur during the day, caused by heavy snowfall, downpours, thick fog and blowing dust or smoke. Follow these safety tips for driving in low visibility conditions:
- Slow down. Disengage your cruise control. Most accidents occur because the driver is going too fast for the weather conditions.
- Use your low beams. High beams will disperse in thick fog or snow, making visibility worse for you and other drivers.
- Turn on your rear fog lamps, if your vehicle is equipped. They greatly aid visibility for drivers approaching from the rear.
- Avoid entering an area if you cannot see a safe distance ahead.
- If you suddenly encounter a severe loss of visibility, pull off the pavement as far as possible. Stop, turn off your lights, set the emergency brake and take your foot off the brake to be sure the taillights are not illuminated. Turn on your emergency flashers.
- If you can't pull off the roadway, slow down, turn on your low beam headlights and sound the horn occasionally. Use the white fog line or roadside reflectors if necessary to help guide you.
- Never stop in the travel lanes.
Oregon’s weather can change quickly and without warning. For road conditions in Oregon, call 511 or (800) 977-ODOT (6368). Outside Oregon, dial (503) 588-2941. Reports are updated continuously and available 24 hours a day.
Visit www.TripCheck.com for information on road and weather conditions, incidents and traffic delays. Links to cameras on many mountain passes and major routes give real-time views of road conditions. The site also provides links to bus, train and airport information as well as lodging, Sno-Parks, restaurants, attractions and other traveler services.
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| Maintenance minimizes impacts on natural resources |
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ODOT’s winter highway maintenance practices reduce costs and avoid affecting natural resources while maintaining high standards for public safety — our number one priority. During snow removal, ODOT’s natural resource-friendly maintenance practices include:
- reducing plowing speeds in sensitive areas; and
- minimizing snow blowing into sensitive areas.
Sanding material is sometimes applied on roads and bridges to provide better traction for safer driving. ODOT’s practices minimize effects on natural resources by:
- reducing application rates and frequency of sanding when weather and traffic conditions allow;
- minimizing sanding in areas with air-quality problems or near waterways and other sensitive areas; and
- placing barriers to capture sanding material along sensitive waterways.
The use of deicing chemicals is a valuable and effective way to provide a reasonably safe roadway surface for the traveling public during winter conditions. The use of these chemicals helps to reduce the use of sand, limiting effects on air quality, water quality and aquatic habitat. ODOT uses:
- the lowest application rate necessary to achieve desired road conditions;
- environmentally safe products that meet the strict specifications of the Pacific Northwest Snowfighters, a consortium of western states and provinces.
Protecting the environment while providing a safe transportation system is a smart move for ODOT and for Oregonians.
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| Chains and traction tires |
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Practice chaining up
In Oregon, there are times when you may be required to use chains on snowy or icy roads. It’s important to learn how to install your chains before bad weather strikes.
Chaining up is good for both you and other drivers, especially on mountain roads. Travelers putting on chains at the last minute can block lanes, impeding other drivers and making it difficult for crews to sand and plow the road. By putting your chains on early, you’ll do your part to keep traffic moving.
It’s a lot easier to put chains on for the first time when you don’t have to struggle to read the instructions alongside a snowy road. Practice installing your chains at home when the weather is fair. Then when road conditions require chains, you’ll already know how to put them on.
Here are some tips on chaining up and driving with chains:
- Check your vehicle operator's manual for the right type and size of chains to use. Then follow the manufacturer's installation instructions.
- Ensure chains are the proper size. Don't deflate tires to install chains.
- Don’t wait until you lose control of your vehicle before chaining up.
- Take along a waterproof tarp or plastic sheet to help keep you dry.
- Keep children and pets safe in your car to avoid distraction and injury.
- Pull over in a safe place and retighten your tire chains after you have driven a short distance.
- Pull over and stop immediately if any part of a tire chain fails or comes loose.
- Do not drive faster than 30 miles per hour when using chains. Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Avoid spinning or locking your wheels.
- Remember: you can slide even with chains, so drive carefully and slowly.
- Oregon chain law.
Traction tire options
Oregon state law allows motorists to use studded tires between Nov. 1 and April 1. Because of the damage caused by studded tires to roads, ODOT encourages drivers to consider using chains or non-studded traction tires.
Traction tires without studs meet Rubber Manufacturers Association standards for use in severe snow conditions and carry a special symbol on the tire sidewall showing a three-peaked mountain and snowflake. Research shows these tires provide better traction than studded tires when used on bare pavement.
Studded tire facts
- Studded tires can be used in Oregon between Nov. 1 and April 1. They are defined under Oregon law as a type of traction tire. Driving with studded tires on your vehicle prior to Nov. 1 or after April 1 is a Class C violation and carries a $145 fine.
- Research shows that studded tires are more effective than all-weather tires on icy roads, but can be less effective in most other conditions.
- Oregon spends about $11 million a year fixing road and bridges damaged by studded tires.
- When it rains, water collects in the pavement ruts caused by studded tires and creates dangerous driving conditions. In cold weather, that water can freeze and cause extra-slippery roads.
Alternatives to studded tires
Chains and chain-like devices
- Chains are more effective than studded tires and are becoming easier to install.
- Link chains may not be recommended for use on some types of vehicles; check your owner’s manual.
Other traction tires
- Traction tires, other than studded tires, provide increased traction in winter conditions.
- Traction tires work about as well as studded tires on ice, but work better than studded tires or regular tires in most other winter conditions.
- These other traction tires cause no more damage to road surfaces than regular tires.
Visit TripCheck.com, Oregon's travel information Web site, for more information on Oregon's chain and traction tire law and minimum chain requirements.
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| Road conditions and travel information |
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Three ways to get information
The Oregon Department of Transportation offers three easy ways to get travel information: from your computer, by phone and on cable television in certain areas.
Via the internet
For up-to-date travel conditions via the internet, visit www.TripCheck.com, ODOT's travel information Web site. The site features:
- Detailed maps updated in real time display road conditions and trouble spots, including weather, construction, maintenance and traffic incidents. TripCheck also displays high impact incidents on multiple pages to make them easier to spot.
- TripCheck provides almost 200 camera images from urban areas, mountain passes and other key locations throughout Oregon, as well as southern Washington and northern California. Users can create and bookmark custom camera pages with up to 10 different cameras for quick checks of specific routes.
- A color-coded speed map of the Portland area provides average travel speeds on Portland highways.
- TripCheck also has links to bus, airport, train, bicycle and trucking information; commercial roadside services such as hotels, motels and restaurants; and detailed information on scenic byways, safety rest areas and Sno-Parks.
- A mileage calculator lets users estimate distances and choose the most direct route.
- TripCheck also provides detailed information on the use of traction tire and chains in Oregon.
- Tripcheck is now available in a special format for mobile devicies such as cell phones and PDAs. Visit www.TripCheck.com/mobile for a handy menu of TripCheck features.
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By phone
Travelers in Oregon can dial 511 to access the same immediate road and weather information available on TripCheck.
- Users can select updated reports about driving conditions by highway, mountain pass or major city from easy-to-use menus. The 511 system responds to both voice and touch-tone commands.
- Calls to 511 are local calls when dialed from a pay phone or wire line phone. Wireless (cell) phone users are responsible for airtime and roaming charges according to their wireless service contracts, but ODOT does not impose any additional charges.
- Most wireless companies in Oregon provide 511 service. If you cannot use 511, call toll-free (800) 977-ODOT (6368) for road and weather information. Outside Oregon, dial (503) 588-2941. Oregon offers the feature of forwarding users to the Washington state 511 system for road conditions in that state.
- ODOT encourages motorists to pull off the road and park in a safe area before using cell phones.
On cable TV
Portland, Corvallis and Bend cable subscribers can check road and weather information instantly on television.
- Comcast subscribers in the Portland metro area can view full-motion video from 18 freeway cameras Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Comcast Cable Channel 14. The latest images from Portland-area cameras rotate on one side of the screen while a color-coded map displays current speeds on the other.
- Bend Broadband customers can view road and weather information from selected cameras as well as live video feeds on Channel 48. TripCheck
- Morning commuters in Corvallis get TripCheck informaiton via their local cable systems.
Reporting a road hazard
To report road hazards (trees down, electric wires across the road, road blocked by mud or rocks, etc.) motorists should call the nearest ODOT dispatch center.
- Portland metro area, Hood River area: (503) 283-5859
- Mid-Willamette Valley, north coast: (503) 362-0457
- Southern Willamette Valley, south coast: (541) 858-3103
- Central and eastern Oregon: (541) 383-0121
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| Additional information |
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