Across the Mahoning Valley, dozens of snowplows are working around the clock to keep roads clear — including 30 in Mahoning and Trumbull Counties alone. 

“When we have a large storm like this, that’s multiple days, our crews are on 12-hour shifts and they remain out until that storm is over,” said Ray Marsch, a spokesman for the Ohio Department of Transportation. 

The same snowy and icy conditions that make the roads treacherous for drivers also create hazards for ODOT workers. According to Marsch, 19 ODOT crews have been struck while out on the road since November. 

“This is a number we do not want to see continue,” Marsch said, adding that “a lot of these crashes are rear-end crashes.”

Experts commonly cite high speeds and short following distances as the biggest culprits when it comes to winter-weather crashes. Lynda Lambert, a spokesperson for AAA, told 21 News drivers should aim to drive at or below the speed limit, and allow for 8-10 seconds of reaction time — about twice as long as usual. 

“You want to stay in control as much as possible, so don’t use cruise control, keep it so you can adjust the speed and the reaction time of your vehicle,” Lambert said. 

Accident prevention can start before a person even gets into their car. Before the winter starts, Lambert said drivers should make sure their tires have proper tread, their windshield wiper blades are clean and working, their fluids are at the proper levels and their car batteries are working well.

“If you haven't done that, because we are now officially in winter, it's time to make sure those things are checked. … If your battery is more than three years old, that's when things can start to go wrong, and cold weather is really tough on a car battery,” Lambert said.

As the snow continues to fall through New Year’s Eve, Sergeant Patrick Abel of the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Canfield post encouraged drivers to adjust their plans as needed. 

“If the road conditions are bad and not worthy of traveling, stay home, have the party at home instead of going out,” Abel said. “Plan ahead so that you're not stuck trying to drive somewhere in bad weather conditions.”

In case your car does end up on the side of the road — because of cold weather or otherwise — experts recommend keeping an emergency kit that includes a blanket, flares, jumper cables, a battery-powered flashlight and warning triangles. Abel also warned drivers to stay put if their car breaks down. 

“Don't be on the outside, walking around, because that is another hazard,” Abel said. “The safest spot is inside your car.”