Las Cruces - The District One office for the New Mexico Department of Transportation (NMDOT) and local law enforcement offices will be monitoring roadways as weather conditions are expected to change late this evening until Friday January 2, 2015. High winds, rain and snow fall accumulations have been forecasted throughout New Mexico. The National Weather Service reported that wind speeds may gust up to 50 MPH in parts of southern New Mexico, which will develop into hazardous driving conditions as rain and snow is mixed with these conditions.
Trent Doolittle, P.E., NMDOT District One Engineer, stated that "the NMDOT has prepared their personnel and equipment in efforts to support the need of law enforcement and emergency responders. The NMDOT will work in conjunction with emergency response as we coordinate our efforts with any possible traffic interferences that we may encounter."
Traffic updates will be posted on the NMDOT traffic advisory web-site at http://nmroads.com as they are reported, and can be retrieved through our automated system at 511 in state, or 1-800-432-4269.
Winter weather driving tips:
- REDUCE YOUR SPEED
The best accident prevention on snow and ice is to SLOW DOWN and leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you for emergencies.
- PRACTICE GOOD WINTER DRIVING TECHNIQUES
Keep your gas tank full, turn on your head lights, keep your windshield washer fluid full with antifreeze, keep winter driving chains in your vehicle, have a winter survival kit which includes – flashlight, hand warmer packets, first aid supplies, high energy snacks, bottled water and read your owner's manual for special instructions on driving 4-wheel drive vehicles and vehicles with ABS on snow and ice.
- AVOID DRIVING INTO A SNOW CLOUD
Large vehicles, such as semi-trailer trucks and snow plows, may produce dense clouds of blowing snow that make it difficult for drivers to see. When drivers encounter snow clouds, they should stay back to avoid the cloud.
- PLAN AHEAD AND BE PATIENT
Delays are common during bad weather. Leave a little early and be patient with delays.
- CHECK BEFORE YOU PASS
Know where a snow plow and blade are before trying to pass. On multi-lane highways, the plow can be in your blind spot. Before attempting to pass make sure it is safe.
- PAY ATTENTION TO WEATHER FORCASTS – TRUST THEM
Winter storms in New Mexico can become severe very quickly, so stay tuned to weather forecasts when planning your trip.
- DON'T USE CRUISE CONTROL
Never use cruise control when the roads are in slippery conditions. Using your cruise control can reduce your control of the vehicle if your tires begin to skid or slip.
- KNOW YOUR CURRENT ROAD CONDITIONS
Visit the NMDOT website for current road advisory information at http://nmroads.com, or dial 511.
- WEAR YOUR SEATBELT
Wear your seatbelt and make sure all passengers also "buckled up."