As western Illinois gears up for a winter storm, Warren County Sheriff Martin Edwards asks residents to reconsider travel plans if possible. However, Edwards says if you have to go into the office, drive carefully and be patient on the roads, especially around Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) plows.
“I know sometimes there’s some impatience and people want to pass them, but whether it’s a two lane or the four lanes really doesn’t matter that that plow is kicking up a lot of skiffs, depending on which way the wind is blowing, and you can end up driving into a complete white out and have an accident with the truck. Remember, that’s a fairly wide plow. So, give them their distance,” said Martins. “If you got to get in line behind them, that’s fine but do not crowd them. Do not get right on the tail of that truck. They could be making a sudden stop. There’s always a chance I might have to stop and back up a little bit and they can’t always see you back there.”
Sheriff Edwards also reminds residents to also be patient as lows work to clear roads, especially on country roads.