Traveling the Old Red Trail

HOW WEATHER AFFECTS TRAVEL
If weather can adversely affect travel today, matters were even worse in the 1920s and 30s. Today, maintenance workers are out on the highway with snowplows and gravel trucks shortly after a heavy snowfall. This was not always the case. After major snowstorms, it sometimes took days to dig out sections of the road and the resulting snow walls were very high.

Even today, bad weather can create hazardous traveling conditions. Driving rain reduces visibility and can cause vehicles to skid. A heavy snowfall not only reduces visibility, but accumulations can actually make travel impossible for automobiles, even on interstates. When ice forms on the highway, it increases the risk that the driver will lose control causing the vehicle to crash into an object or another vehicle, go off the road, or possibly roll over. Another weather related road hazard is fog that is so thick that the driver cannot see the road or other vehicles in front of the automobile.

When traveling during the winter months in North Dakota, people should take along items to insure safety if car trouble or weather related conditions cause a person to be stranded. Not only should that person dress warmly but should have plenty of easy to eat food, blankets, candles, and extra dry clothing. You should also include a cell phone so that you can let authorities know that you are in distress and where your vehicle is located.

Before starting out on a trip, you should check on weather and road conditions for all points along the way. The National Weather Bureau and local meteorologists keep track of current and future weather conditions. You can also access weather and road conditions by dialing 511.