Mt. Juliet Public Safety and Public Works Focused on Approaching Winter Storm; Police Offer Safety Tips

March 4, 2015 0 Comments

Mt. Juliet, Tenn. – The attention of city public safety and public works is focused on the approaching Winter Storm, where a Winter Storm Warning will go into effect at 6:00 p.m. this evening. Residents should expect major travel impacts Wednesday night, Thursday, and into Friday. With the major drop in temperature to the 20’s for a high and cloudy skies, there will not be much improvement to roadways until the sun comes out on Friday. Residents should have a plan in place to not travel on roadways when conditions become hazardous. At present, it appears that the changeover to a wintry precipitation will begin this evening between 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Roadways will become hazardous into the evening as temperatures drop and precipitation changes to sleet and snow. Mt. Juliet Police, Fire, and Public Works departments are actively monitoring the developing situation, and they are prepared for this winter-weather event.

Additional police officers have been placed on standby, and they will be utilized if more staffing is necessary to respond for calls. Equipment has also been installed on certain police vehicles to provide better traction and to ensure officers continue to have the capability to respond.

Mt. Juliet Fire Department volunteers have been placed on standby, and additional crews will be utilized if more staffing is necessary to respond for calls.

Mt. Juliet Public Works will not be able to pretreat or brine city roadways due to the heavy rain prior to the wintry precipitation. However, staff has been placed on standby, and salt trucks with snow removal equipment have been readied. Public works will begin to salt and attempt to clear roadways once hazardous conditions develop. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is responsible for state roadways like Mt. Juliet Road, Lebanon Road, and Central Pike; however, Mt. Juliet Public Works will supplement TDOT to ensure the state roads are cleared as best as possible.

Mt. Juliet Police, Fire, and Public Works leadership is in constant contact with the Wilson County Emergency Management Agency, and all agencies are communicating and working together to ensure everyone has the necessary resources.

Since hazardous road conditions will develop this evening and last through the week, the Mt. Juliet Police Department reminds residents to stay safe in snowy weather. Please remember the following tips throughout any winter storm:

  • Follow us on Social Media for Updates: Follow Wilson County and Tennessee public safety agencies on Twitter & Facebook. Many agencies actively communicate with the public about road closures, traffic advisories, and/or important information on Twitter and Facebook. Below is a list of area social media links:
  • Stay Informed: Anytime there is a possibility of a winter storm, it is always important to stay connected and have your communication devices charged. Consider registering for Mt. Juliet and Wilson County EMA Nixle Alerts to receive real-time text alerts on your phone. It is simple to register, simply text your zip code to the phone number “888777”.
  • Take Note of the Weather Forecast: Mt. Juliet Police encourage residents to take note of local forecasts and plan accordingly for adverse weather conditions. Motorists are reminded that they can dial 511 on their cell phones for current traffic and road conditions on Tennessee roadways. The Tennessee Department of Transportation also has a great SmartWay resource that provides up-to-date traffic information on Tennessee’s highway system. You can find more information about it at www.TNSmartWay.com .
  • Vehicle Preparation: With a forecast of inclement weather, motorists should ensure that their vehicles are well maintained and properly equipped for winter driving. Motorists should check the fluid levels of their vehicles, particularly washer fluid and anti-freeze, to make sure that they are at adequate levels. Tires should be inspected to ensure that they are properly inflated and have sufficient tread depth. Motorists should equip their vehicles with an ice scraper, jumper cables, a flashlight and some warm clothing and blankets. Additionally, motorists are reminded to completely clear their vehicles of snow and ice prior to driving, including all lights, for visibility. Clearing vehicles of snow and ice enhances the safety of all motorists by providing an unobstructed view to the operator and prevents snow and ice from flying off vehicles at high speeds and posing a hazard to others on the road. Motorists should also carry a charged cell phone.
  • Reduce Speed: Anticipate delays. Most snow and ice-related crashes are caused by spin-outs and vehicles sliding off the road because they are traveling at speeds too great for the road and weather conditions. Posted speed limits are set for driving under perfect, dry conditions. If road and weather conditions are dangerous, motorists should operate at a speed well below the posted limit.
  • Leave Extra Space Between Vehicles: Under perfect driving conditions, motorists should leave at least one car length for every ten miles per hour between them and the vehicle in front of them. If the road and weather conditions are dangerous, that distance should be significantly increased in order to afford for increased stopping distances.
  • Black Ice: Transparent ice may form on the roadway. If you notice ice forming on any objects, assume that it is forming on the road surface as well. Bridges are usually the first surfaces to freeze. Drive slowly and, if possible, avoid driving on iced-over surfaces.
  • Buckle Up: The single most effective thing that motorists can do to keep themselves, friends, and loved ones safe on the road is to buckle up.
  • Dial 911 in Roadway Emergencies: Motorists who become disabled in a dangerous location or encounter an emergency on the roadways should dial 911 on their cell phones to immediately be connected to emergency services. Motorists should always be aware of their location, noting the road they are traveling on and nearest cross-street or mile-marker.

###

CategoriesMedia Release