Winter weather has arrived, but that doesn’t slow down our crews. They work along roadsides to build, repair, and maintain electrical power lines during all months of the year, including cold and snowy ones. While routine electrical line work is done during the daylight hours, emergencies happen anytime including, during snowstorms and often in the middle of the night. If you see an NREMC truck, warning signs, or flaggers during the day or night, be sure you’re slowing down and keeping a safe distance away from all people, trucks, and equipment. Being alert while driving is essential, especially when roadways may be hazardous because of snow and ice.
Indiana is one of many states with a “slow down, move over” law requiring motorists approaching a stationary utility vehicle displaying flashing lights to proceed with caution. If possible, change lanes away from the vehicle. If changing lanes is impossible or unsafe, reduce speed to at least 10 miles per hour less than the posted speed limit. This law applies to police vehicles, ambulances, fire trucks, highway maintenance vehicles, utility service vehicles, and recovery equipment, like tow trucks. Even though there are laws to protect emergency crews, like utility crews, drivers should keep a close eye out for fellow motorists trapped by the winter weather as well. Always be courteous to those broken down on the shoulder of the road, and give them plenty of room to repair their vehicles safely.
Together, we all play a vital role in keeping crews safe during this winter season.
