SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) _ The National Weather Service says a foot of lake effect snow could fall along Lake Michigan in LaPorte County.

The weather service has issued a lake effect snow watch for LaPorte, St. Joseph, Marshall and Starke counties in Indiana, as well as Berrien County, Mich.

It's the first significant snowfall of the season, powered by cold air moving across Lake Michigan.

Some parts of LaPorte County received an inch or two of snow late Sunday and early Monday. Forecasters say 6 to 14 inches could fall by Tuesday.

The heaviest snows are expected closer to the lake, where snowfall rates of 2 or 3 inches per hour are possible and visibility along Interstate 94 and the Toll Road is expected to drop to near zero at times.

INDOT says brush up on winter driving skills

This week is Winter Weather Preparedness Week in the State of Indiana, and now is the time for Hoosiers to get ready for winter driving, the Indiana Department of Transportation said.

INDOT is urging all motorists to prepare their vehicles for the season and brush up on their winter driving strategies.

“Winter storms can be extremely dangerous for Hoosier motorists and INDOT workers if everyone on Indiana roads doesn’t use safe-driving strategies,” INDOT said in a statement released last week. “According to the National Weather Service, 11 of 17 winter-related deaths occur in motor vehicles. The majority of those deaths could have been prevented if the traveler was aware of road conditions and prepared for the worst.”

To promote winter-driving safety, INDOT has joined several other Snow Belt states in a campaign called “Ice and Snow, Take It Slow,” to remind motorists that “slow and cautious driving is the key to staying safe on the roads during winter weather.”

“We have years of experience working throughout the winter months salting and plowing roads to make sure they remain the most reliable modes of transportation as possible,” said INDOT LaPorte District Deputy Commissioner Mike McPhillips. “But a large responsibility for safe winter driving requires motorist education, preparation, and driving appropriate to the conditions.”

“By slowing down, giving plows room to work, and allowing extra time to get to your destination, we can save lives this winter on Indiana highways,” INDOT said.

Follow these tips:

•Knowledge: Before leaving home, find out about the driving conditions. Safe drivers know the weather and their limits. If the weather is bad, remember: Ice and Snow, Take It Slow.

•Clear: Remove any snow from your vehicle’s windows, lights, brake lights, and signals. Make sure you can see and be seen.

•Inspect: Check your vehicle’s tires, wiper blades, fluids, lights, belts, and hoses. A breakdown is bad on a good day and dangerous on a bad-weather day.

•Time: Leave plenty of time to reach your destination safely. It’s not worth putting yourself and others at risk just to be on time.

For more tips, visit www.winterdrivingsafety.in.gov

Police warn motorists to be prepared for winter driving

The Indiana State Police is urging motorists to follow a few safety tips for winter driving.

Be Prepared

•Before traveling, check the forecast and let someone know your travel route.

•Keep your gas tank full, if possible.

•Carry a winter driving kit, including blankets, flashlight and extra batteries, a brightly colored cloth, sand or cat litter, shovel, candle, matches, non-perishable high calorie food, a first aid kit, jumper cables, and a cell phone.

Drive According to Road Conditions

•Allow extra time to get to your destination.

•Clear all windows of ice and snow and remove snow from your hood, roof, headlights, and taillights.

•Beware of bridges, underpasses, shaded areas, and intersections, where ice is slow to melt.

•Slow down to increase traction. Don’t use cruise control on slick roads.

•Avoid abrupt stops and starts, slow down gradually, and keep wheels turning to avoid losing traction.

•Use low-beam headlights to decrease glare from ice.

Should You Become Stranded

•Don’t leave your car. It’s the best protection you have.

•Tie a brightly colored cloth to your antenna if you need help.

•Roll down your window a small amount for fresh air.

•Keep the exhaust pipe free of blockage to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.

•Don’t panic. An idling car uses only one gallon of gasoline per hour.

For Indiana road conditions between Dec. 1 and March 31, call (800) 261-7623 or visit the ISP website at www.in.gov/isp

 Posted 11/17/2008