Colder, snowy weather brings safety concerns

As temperatures fell into the low 30s Tuesday, the rain that has dogged much of Indiana since the weekend slowly turned to snow, with some parts of the Bloomington area seeing up to two inches of accumulation.

As the snow began to fall, city and state officials urged residents to remember some important safety tips and rules to follow.

The City of Bloomington Housing and Neighborhood Development Department sent an email reminder to refresh residents’ memories about municipal codes regarding keeping snow and ice from their sidewalks.

The ordinance requires property owners to remove the snow and ice from the sidewalks within 24 hours after the snow or ice accumulates. If owners don’t comply, they can be fined.

The department offered several tips on how to safely complete the task.

Do not lift too much at once, clear the snow and ice from the top down and use a straight edge hoe to chip away heavy ice, the department suggested.

The Indiana State Police also had snow-related tips of its own.

When driving in winter weather, remember to allow extra time to get to your destination, to avoid using cruise control on slick roads and to clear ice and snow from the vehicle’s hood and windows, the police recommended.

In a press release, State Police Lt. Jon Smithers said the police constantly see accidents caused by drivers simply driving too fast for the road conditions.  

“Regardless what the posted speed limit is on the road you are traveling, you can be cited for going too fast for existing road conditions,” Smithers said.  

Smithers urged drivers to slow down, check the weather and plan road trips  accordingly.

“Remember, slick roads don’t cause crashes,” he said. “It is the driving behavior on those roads that cause the crash.”

The National Weather Service predicted the snow will clear up Tuesday, though temperatures will remain in the 30s and low 40s the rest of the week. More rain is expected Sunday.

— Jake New