Buckner Promotes Safe Driving Tips for Winter Season

CHICAGO – Continuing to prioritize the safety of the community, state Rep. Kam Buckner, D-Chicago, is reminding local residents to practice caution on the roads during the winter season.

“Although the holiday season is over, it’s still important to exercise caution by practicing safe driving habits,” Buckner said. “That’s why I wanted to take the time to highlight IDOT’s driver safety guidelines. With the weather being unpredictable during the winter months, it’s always wise to play it safe and be prepared.”

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) estimates that 17 percent of all vehicle crashes happen in winter conditions. In IDOT’s long-standing campaign for driver safety called “Winter Weather – Get it Together,” they offer various recommendations to practice safe driving during this winter season. Among the list, IDOT urges drivers to always wear a seatbelt, don’t use cruise control, maintain slower speeds to stay safe and avoid traveling during bad weather unless it’s absolutely necessary. IDOT also strongly urges Illinois drivers to prepare an emergency kit containing jumper cables, flares, reflectors, windshield washer fluid, an ice scraper, traction material, blankets, non-perishable food and a first-aid-kit.

“No one wants to get that call during the early hours of the morning that their loved one was injured in a vehicular accident.” Buckner said. “In order to prevent tragic accidents and increase safe driving on our roads, residents need to be armed with the information and strategies they need to stay safe during this winter season,”

To learn more about IDOT’s safe driving tips, visit www.idot.illinois.gov/home/winter-driving-tips.

Buckner’s 26th District contains all or parts of Bronzeville, Gold Coast, Grand Boulevard, Greater Grand Crossing, Hyde Park, Kenwood, Oakland, South Chicago, South Loop, South Shore, Streeterville and Woodlawn.