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Friday morning commute may be the worst of the season

Roads are snow covered and very slick.

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — This morning's commute may be the worst of the season. As of 5 a.m. Friday, Feb. 5, the roads across West Michigan are still very snow-covered and slick. 

This snow will likely be sticking around, with a stretch of frigid days ahead.

Since we won't see a quick melt-off -- expect highways and roads to stay snow-covered and icy. Visibility will be restricted and whiteout conditions may be possible at times. The Kent County Road Commission said road conditions are likely to become more difficult as the day progresses.

Roads running north and south will be the most impacted by blowing and drifting snow, which could cause higher/hazardous amounts of snow on the roadway.

Overnight crews addressed the state roads, and day crews came in early at 4 a.m. to move into the county road system, targeting the highest volume roads. However, due to ongoing storm and winds, treated roads will once again become snow covered and icy. Crews will return to the highest volume roads throughout the day.

The Kent County Road Commission spent yesterday spreading a mixture of sand and salt on many of the highly-congested areas. Their goal was to get as much material down ahead of the storm as possible, to reduce the chance of the snow bonding to the pavement. The Kent County Road Commission says staff and the equipment are ready, but drivers have to be ready, too, and respect the conditions.

And remember, the salt isn't effective when the temperature gets below 15 degrees -- so be extra careful out on the roads.

Everyone should expect treacherous driving conditions for several days, with temperatures below freezing. Officials advised everyone to leave additional time for their morning commute as reduced speeds will be needed.

Also remember to give plow trucks plenty of room, and do not pass on the right; KCRC said the wing plows may be in use. Other reminders that officials shared are:

MAINTAIN SAFE DISTANCE 
Snowplows are large and operators cannot see directly behind the truck.

SLOW DOWN WHEN YOU SEE A SNOW PLOW
Snow plows travel at a slower speed; the most common crashes are motorists hitting the rear end of the plow. Stay alert and watch for a plow’s green and amber lights.

DO NOT PASS PLOW ON RIGHT
Plows push snow to the right shoulder and many are equipped with a wing plow – a 6-8 foot extension on the right-hand side of the plow. This wing is difficult to see and can do harm to a passing car.

DO NOT PASS IN A SNOW CLOUD
Be sure the road ahead is clear of vehicles or snowdrifts before attempting to pass on the left. A snow cloud could be caused by crosswinds or by a snowplow, so be patient.

REMEMBER: PLOWS DO MORE THAN PLOW
Plow trucks also spread salt and deicing agents may spray your car. Maintain a safe distance between your car and the snowplow and be extremely cautious when passing on the left. Remember, do NOT pass a snow plow on the right.

BE PREPARED
No matter when incidents occur, it is best to be prepared. Car emergency kits help motorists navigate a potentially dangerous situation until helps arrives.

  • Make sure the vehicle is in good working order. 
  • Check the condition of the tires or consider snow/winter tires
  • Replace the wiper blades, if needed
  • Fill up on antifreeze and window-washer fluid
  • Ensure the battery has sufficient charge
  • Try to keep the gas tank full
  • Keeping an emergency kit in the vehicle is also important. It should include things like:
  • A blanket and warm clothes (boots, coat, gloves)
  • A flashlight
  • Jumper cables
  • Tow rope
  • Shovel
  • First aid kit
  • Bag of sand or cat litter for traction
  • Cell phone charger
  • Battery-operated radio
  • Water
  • Non-perishable food, snacks
  • Reflective triangles

The State of Michigan has a downloadable Auto Emergency Preparedness Kit Checklist to assist the planning process.

KCRC has compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for the winter season to help address motorist and resident inquiries. The FAQs can be found here.

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