The Eugene Police Department is asking people to stay home due to extremely dangerous travel conditions. There are several areas throughout the city with downed trees and power lines, and it is not safe at this time to be on the road.
911 has received a profusion of calls due to the weather and is requesting that the public only call 911 for immediate life, health and safety emergencies. And, for calls regarding utilities, please call your utility provider unless it is an immediate life or safety emergency.
Driving Tips
Residents are urged to check weather and road conditions before heading out and then drive accordingly. Eugene Police have some tips for driving during rainy/winter weather:
- If it is icy out and you don't have to travel, stay home
- Slow down
- Leave plenty of driving distance, don't accelerate quickly and don't brake abruptly
- Drive defensively and cautiously – your eyes should be looking ahead and down the road so you can see conditions and traffic and will be able to react appropriately and calmly
- Even if you have a green light, check to see you are safe proceeding through the intersection
- There may be vehicles sliding into the intersection, without the ability to stop due to road conditions and unsafe driving
- If you have an outside temperature gauge in your car, check it from time to time (These gauges are inexpensive and available at stores locally)
- Drive as though you can't rely on your brakes
- Be aware that road conditions can change quickly as the temperature drops
- The surface on overpasses and bridges freeze faster so be cautious
- Remove all ice on windshields, windows, headlights and tail lights prior to driving to ensure adequate visibility, and make sure the vehicle’s windshield is defrosted
- Carry chains or traction devices if it is going to snow
- Check your tire pressure. It should be at least at the level recommended by the manufacturer. As the temperature drops, so does tire pressure
- Turn headlights on
- If you crash, carefully evaluate the situation from inside your vehicle. Don't immediately get out because it is possible other vehicles might also be crashing near you. Don't stand between moving traffic and your vehicle. Use a flare, hazard lights or other signaling device to warn other drivers of the crash
- Four-wheel drive vehicles and all-wheel drive vehicles are great at accelerating, but in snow or ice that doesn't help you stop or turn.
- Don’t use cruise control in freezing, near freezing, or rainy conditions. The powered wheels can lose traction.
- In freezing weather, be especially careful on overpasses.