In total, 384 people and 220 intervention vehicles make up the winter road network of the Government of Navarrawhich will be active until April 30, subject to possible modifications depending on weather needs and whose objective is “gensure safe mobility and maintain roads in good condition.
The advisor of Territorial cohesion of the Government of Navarre, Óscar Chivite, visited this Monday the Director General of Public Works and Infrastructures, Pedro López; and the Director General of the Interior, Salvador Díez; at the Estella Road Conservation Center, to know first-hand the details of the winter road plan of the Navarre road network.
Likewise, the General Directorate of the Interior, via Trafico Navarra, launched the campaign “Don’t let winter surprise you on the road”, asking citizens to check their vehicles before the arrival of winter, paying attention to tires, brakes, steering, lighting, battery, spark plugs and antifreeze, among others. others.
The campaign starts this Monday and will continue until December television, radio and social networksand can be extended over time depending on weather conditions.
Councilor Chivite stressed that “the objective of the plan is Ensure the adequate conservation and functionality of the more than 3,900 kilometers of Navarre’s road network “For this reason, we have already distributed nearly 18,000 tons of salt and brine to the various warehouses and silos of both road maintenance centers and dealers of the A-12 and A-21 motorways for use against snow and ice,” he noted.
The Government of Navarra has with 8 centers which serve the 3,920 kilometers of Navarre’s road network, including the roads operated under concession regime (AP-15, Autopista de Navarra; A-12, Autovía del Camino; and A-21, Autovía del Pirineo).
The device, which attempts to “prevent, avoid or minimize the effects of winter conditions in the circulation of vehicles on the road”, will be composed of 220 intervention vehicles, including snow plows, turbo mowers and auxiliary vehicles, and 384 people, including staff from the General Directorate of Public Works and Infrastructure and companies dedicated to Global Conservation and highway and motorway concessionaires (A-12, A-21 and AP-15).
The device also has 87 indoor and outdoor information panels and more than 300 cameras, placed in tunnels, the A-12 and A-21 highways and intersections and sections of interest which, added to the 31 weather stations and 59 traffic data collection stations, “contribute to improve the “management” of winter roads in the Navarre road network.
To this system of people and resources, we must add the teams managed directly by the various local police forces, Provincial Police and Civil Guard, coordinated from the Road Conservation Control Center of the Territorial Cohesion Directorate and SOS Navarra, mobilized in each case.
In addition, the Department of Territorial Cohesion, in coordination with the departments of the Presidency and Equality, and the Interior, Civil Service and Justice, provided blocks and snow removal equipment to different municipalities from Navarre who, “due to its small size and difficulty of accesssuffer from snow removal problems on their communication routes in the event of snowfall given their nature as a Local Network.
For his part, the Director General of the Interior, Salvador Diez, stressed that “the Government of Navarre already starts from its own experience in the management of winter roads” and highlighted the regional management of all the services involved, such as health, road maintenance or security, which, in his opinion, “This allows for a global vision and action that will rely on better coordination and better efficiency in the use of resources.”
Díez also explained the importance of adopt preventive measures, such as the dissemination of information to citizens. “Working on road safety means taking charge of the elimination and reduction of risk factors, in order to minimize and prevent road accidents and the damage they cause,” he assured.
HOW TO TRAVEL DURING A STORM
The Regional Executive reminds citizens of the importance of collaborating with authorities during winter storms and periods when complicates road conditions.
This is why it is advisable to only make essential journeys and, if it is necessary to drive, it is recommended to respect the instructions of the road authorities; do not obstruct the movement of snow removal equipment and, if the vehicle is stopped, do so off the road; travel by day and, if possible, on main roads; Before hitting the road, check the correct tire, chains, battery or lights are working properly, in addition to leaving with a full tank of fuel.
In the event of a blockage with the vehicle in the snowyou must call 112 and report the situation. Even if the phone is not covered, the connection with 112 it’s always possible. In these situations, you should stay inside the car with the engine running and the heater on, periodically changing the air.
As it is recommended not to consume fuel, it will be necessary to stop the engine and the heater from time to time, in order to “maintain a comfortable temperature inside the vehicle while maximizing fuel economy.”
It is also necessary to ensure that the exhaust outlet is free of any obstacles and smoke does not enter the interior of the car, set the radio to listen to the weather forecast and wait for another vehicle to pass “without trying to get out and look for help in the middle of a storm of snow.”
In the rain and on wet asphalt, the braking distance is longer and visibility is reduced, which is why it is necessary avoid sudden maneuversincrease the safety distance, reduce the speed and have tires in good condition, with correct tread and pressure.
Various studies conclude that the Braking distance on wet asphalt at a speed of 90 km/h is 32 meters larger than with the dry surface.
In slippery situations, such as that found with ice or snow on asphalt, it is best to drive in one gear more than would be required in normal situations so that the engine does not run excessively and skidding is minimized. . driving wheels. Unless you’re going down a slope, when the recommendation is the opposite: drive in low gears to keep the car with the engine braking and avoid braking with your foot as much as possible.
