Motorists should plan for delays no matter what the weather

By on Monday, October 2nd, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

EASTERN OREGON – Last Thursday night’s crash on Interstate 84 saw eastbound lanes closed for eight hours, until 5 a.m. Friday and winter weather was not the cause of the problem. Oregon Department of Transportation Public Information Officer Tom Strandberg said that motorists should always be prepared for delays, no matter what the weather is.

“A lot of time when there’s a crash you could be stuck on the road for hours and hours and hours,” he said. “You want to be prepared and have the kind of supplies that are going to make you feel as comfortable as possible.”

The list of items to pack in the car depends on who is traveling. A solo driver doesn’t need as much as a couple with children would for example. Every driver should have as full a gas tank as possible, warm clothes, water, and food. In addition, he said it’s vital that vehicles be well maintained.

Strandberg and ODOT Region 5 Community Affairs Specialist Vicki Moles shared this and more on the KUMA Coffee Hour Friday. They discuss everything from safety changes to the I-84 corridor to driving in dicey conditions. Hear the podcast at https://omny.fm/shows/coffee-hour-podcast.