Official start of winter serves as reminder:
Ice and Snow…Take it Slow

COLUMBUS (Tuesday, December 21, 2010) – On this first day of winter, as Ohioans finish holiday shopping and head out for family gatherings, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) reminds motorists in Ice and Snow…Take it Slow.

Last winter there were 33,110 crashes on Ohio’s roads. Excessive speed and following too close rank as the two main factors in crashes.

To help drivers stay safe, ODOT offers the following advice:

KNO B4 U Go: Before leaving home, find out about driving conditions by going to ODOT’s premier website www.BuckeyeTraffic.org. Safe drivers know the weather, and their limits.

Clear your View: Remove any snow on your vehicle’s windows, lights, brake lights and signals. Make sure you can see and be seen.

Check the Clock: Leave plenty of time to reach your destination safely. It’s not worth putting yourself and others in a dangerous situation just to be on time.

Turn on the Lights: If you need to turn on your wipers, turn on your headlights. Ohio law now requires drivers to turn on vehicles headlights whenever windshield wipers are in operation due to any type of precipitation.

Motorists should also plan ahead for places to stop along the way. ODOT will have 19 rest areas around the state closed for construction during the holidays, including:

Belmont County - Interstate 70, both east and westbound
Van Wert County - U.S. Route 30, both east and westbound
Hancock County - Interstate 75, both north and southbound
Hocking County - U.S. Route 33, both east and westbound
Lake County - Interstate 90, both east and westbound
Trumbull County - Interstate 80, westbound
Gallia County - State Route 7, northbound
Athens County - U.S. Route 50, eastbound (near Torch)
Auglaize County – U.S. Route 33, both east and westbound
Brown County - S.R. 32 eastbound
Jackson County - U.S. Route 35 westbound
Mahoning County – State Route 11, both north and southbound

While construction work may be suspended over the holiday, many permanent work zone restrictions remain in place. Below is a list of notable highway construction projects that could impact your holiday travel:

U.S. Route 250, Huron County (Northern Ohio)
U.S. 250, just south of the Erie/Huron County line, is closed as part of a bridge replacement project. Detour is posted.

Interstate 90, Lake County (Northeastern Ohio)
A major reconstruction project on I-90 between Paine Rd. and the Ashtabula County line is underway

State Route 2, Lake County (Northeastern Ohio)
Several projects along SR 2 are currently underway. All SR 2 traffic between Vine St. and Lost Nation Rd. is shifted to the westbound lanes utilizing crossovers.

Interstate 475, Lucas County (Northwestern Ohio)
Expect lane restrictions in both directions on I-475, from I-75 to Monroe St. for reconstruction. Various ramps are closed and detours are posted.

U.S. Route 24, Lucas and Henry counties (Northwestern Ohio)
U.S. Route 24, from I-475 to Dutch Rd. is reduced to one lane in each direction until October 2011. Various roads are closed in Lucas and Henry counties along the new alignment. Detours are posted.

Interstate 270, Franklin County (Central Ohio)
Two lanes of traffic are shifted to the shoulder and left lane in both directions over the Scioto River for a bridge improvement and widening project. The speed limit is reduced to 55 mph in the work zone area.

Interstate 70 in Belmont County (Eastern Ohio)
I-70 in western Belmont County is undergoing a major reconstruction. All four lanes are using the eastbound side of the roadway through the project. Several crossovers are being used. Work is ongoing. Weather permitting, some modifications of the current traffic pattern may occur during the holiday travel season.

Interstate 70, Clark County (Western Ohio)
I-70 between SR 72 and U.S. 40 is undergoing a lane addition. Motorists will encounter construction zones in both directions. Two lanes of traffic will remain open to motorists in each direction during the holidays.

Interstate 75, Montgomery County (Southwestern Ohio)
I-75 from Main St. to Stanley Ave. and from Edwin C. Moses Blvd. to Fifth St. has construction zones due to the modernization of the interstate through the city of Dayton. Speed is reduced through the work zone. Two lanes of traffic will remain open to motorists in each direction during the holidays.

Interstate 75, Warren County (Southwestern Ohio)
Major reconstruction of I-75 in Warren County, adding a lane in each direction of I-75 from SR 122 (Middletown) to the Warren/ Montgomery county line. Lane widths are reduced on I-75, so three lanes of traffic can be maintained from south of SR 122 to the Warren/Montgomery county line.