State Police offer tips to deal with cold weather

Louisiana State Police is closely monitoring the winter weather that is forecast for the upcoming days and urge citizens across the state to keep abreast of the latest weather and travel conditions before traveling on roadways and potentially exposing themselves to dangerous conditions.

During last week’s winter weather event, Louisiana State Police experienced a nearly 400 percent increase in weather related traffic incidents including six fatality crashes. With forecasts predicting potentially longer periods of freezing temperatures and precipitation, citizens should prepare for anticipated road closures and make preparations to remain in the safety of their homes and refrain from unnecessary travel.

The Louisiana State Police will utilize extra patrols nearly doubling the amount of Troopers on duty while working closely with local agencies to provide the safest environment possible for motorists and citizens across the state.

Additionally, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development representatives will remain active throughout the event utilizing salt, sand, and de-icing agents on bridges, overpasses, and roadways where needed.

For real time updates on roadway closures, crash locations, and pertinent safety information, visit and like the Louisiana State Police Facebook page at www.facebook.com/LouisianaStatePolice, follow the LSP Twitter feed @LAStatePolice, or access the DOTD travel information database by calling 511 or logging onto 511la.org.

Citizens and visitors are also encouraged to enroll and receive Nixle Alerts. To enroll for this free service, visit www.nixle.com, complete the required information, and select Louisiana State Police as your agency.

Louisiana State Police strongly recommends not traveling during this winter event. However if driving is unavoidable, motorists should exercise extreme caution and be prepared for uncertain driving conditions by:

•Checking Facebook and Nixle for road closures along your route.

•Checking vehicle fluids (anti-freeze), tire pressure, battery, and windshield wipers.

•Reducing speed.

•Allowing extra time to reach your destination.

•Allowing extra space between vehicles.

•Do not drive using cruise control in icy conditions.

•Anticipate stops (such as stop signs and traffic signals) and brake gently while stopping.

•If you encounter a skid, do not panic, take your foot off the accelerator, and steer into the skid till you regain control.

•Use low beam headlights if it is raining/sleeting.

•Ensure all vehicle occupants are properly restrained.

If you should have vehicle problems, be sure to stay in your vehicle, as freezing temperatures can be life-threatening and the safest place is in the vehicle. Have a survival kit: emergency first aid kit, blankets, jumper cables, high-energy or dehydrated foods, flashlight with extra batteries, extra (charged) cell phone battery, emergency flares, and bottled water.

If you experience difficulties or witness hazardous situations while on the highway, notify your local State Police Troop office by dialing *LSP (*577) from your cell phone or contact your local law enforcement agency.