State snowplow crews are out clearing roadways and South Dakota Department of Transportation officials remind motorists plows travel at 25-30 mph or less when plowing or placing deicing chemicals.
Drivers need to stay four to eight car lengths behind a snow plow. When conditions allow and it is safe to do so, snowplows will pull over periodically to let traffic pass. Please have patience and never pass a plow when visibility is poor.
If conditions become unsafe for snow plow crews to be on the road, maintenance will be suspended and noted on the safetravelusa.com website. Crews will update the 511 system three to four times a day, more frequently if conditions warrant. The road condition reporting system includes: the 5-1-1 phone system, safetravelusa.com/sd website and the SDDOT 511 app available on iTunes and Google Play.
A feature on the safetravelusa.com/sd website is ClearPath511. Users can sign up to receive text or email alerts for travel advisories and road closures. You can also follow @SouthDakotaDOT on Twitter and Facebook and @ClearPath511 on Twitter.
No Travel Advised alerts are issued when road and weather conditions are such that travel is extremely difficult and hazardous. Motorists should not travel except in emergency situations.
A Road Closure means widespread ice, heavy snow, drifting or extremely poor visibility has created hazardous and life-threatening travel conditions and travel is prohibited. Going around barriers is dangerous and illegal.
A winter driving brochure with useful information and tips is available on the SDDOT website: http://www.sddot.com/resources/Brochures/Default.aspx.
