GOSHEN COUNTY – Winter is in full swing in Wyoming, so in light of the numerous motorist assistance calls and vehicle accidents reported from local law enforcement agencies due to winter weather road conditions and in partnership with local emergency responder departments as well as the Goshen County Commissioners office, the Telegram is highlighting safe winter driving recommendations and concerns from residents.

In a press release from Goshen County Commissioner Vice Chair Justin Burkart on behalf of all three commissioners, the county wrote, “The Goshen County Sheriff Office (GCSO), Goshen County Emergency Management (GCEM), Goshen County Road and Bridge Department (GCRBD) and Goshen County Board of Commissioners (GCC) strongly urge residents to use extreme caution and avoid any unnecessary travel on roads in wind prone areas of the county.”

Continuing, “The high volume of snow, arctic temperatures and strong winds are making it difficult to keep roads open despite continuing efforts to do so.”

“Many roads will quickly become treacherous and impassable, especially those in the northern, southern and western areas of the county,” Burkart further explained. “All road and bridge equipment and staff are fully engaged.”

Burkart also said, “County officials in conjunction with (Wyoming) Emergency Management and (Wyoming) Homeland Security are working with various state (such as Wyoming Department of Transportation, WYDOT) and local officials, neighboring counties and contractors to provide wide-scale clearing of county roads in Goshen County.”

Winter in Wyoming often means long, cold and snowy months which are often accompanied with icy roads and dangerous driving conditions. Winter weather can start as early as September and old timers are ready to remind the community they witnessed it snow a time or two during rodeo season in June. This winter season is already off to an abnormally harsh, cold, icy and snowy start – but it’s far from over. According to the National Weather Service (NWS) of Cheyenne, Wyoming see’s its peak winter weather season from mid-February to early-May; it’s barely February.

According to NWS, Wyoming and Goshen County have seen a much snowier, colder, windier and icier winter season already but they expect it to get worse by the time peak winter weather season comes nearer to March.

The department said this is typical of a back-to-back, or “double,” La Nina weather year – where much of the Northern United States, which includes Wyoming, sees a longer, wetter, heavier and stronger winter season during the second La Nina year. NWS also advises residents it will be an incredibly colder, wetter, snowier, icier and longer winter than typical and asks residents to adjust their daily or weekly habits to be mindful of winter storms.

In its annual Highway Safety Report published in February 2022, WYDOT reported 51% of winter weather related crashes are the result of ice or frost on the road. Another 37% of winter weather related crashes are due to snow, 5% from roads being wet, 5% from roads described as “slushy”, 1% from dry road conditions, 0.5% from sand on icy roads and 0.5% from other unknown reasons.

“The most common weather condition at the time of winter weather related traffic crashes is snowing (36%), followed by clear (34%), blowing snow (13%), cloudy/overcast (6%) and sleet, hail or freezing rain (3%),” WYDOT stated in its report. “Severe wind, blizzard and fog each account for 2% of crashes, while rain accounts for only 1% of crashes.”

Adding, “Wyoming experiences 91% of winter weather related crashes from October through March, with January having the most.”

Per the WYDOT report of winter weather-related crashes from January 2016 through December 2020, there were 4,218 (or 22%) in January; followed by 4,203 (or 22%) crashes in December; 3,457 (or 18%) in February; 2,484 (or 13%) in November; 1,749 (9%) in March; and 1,306 (7%) in October.

Of the 17,417 winter weather-related crashes from 2016 to 2020, 45% of drivers were driving too fast for conditions, 13% ran off the road due to conditions, 9% failed to keep in their proper lanes, 6% failed to yield to right of way, 4% were following too close, 4% swerved due to wind or slippery surfaces and 19% was due to any other improper action while driving, which includes inexperienced drivers.

According to the state department, 27% of traffic crashes in Wyoming are winter-weather related; 225 crashes between 2016 to 2020 involved snow plows, 55% (123) of those were WYDOT plows. Another 45 accidents involved city or town plows, 20 crashes involved county plows, 22 involved businesses plows, 13 involved private plows and 2 involved other plows operated by contractors.

In its Winter-Weather Related Total Crashes by Year report WYDOT reported there have been 540 fatal crashes which resulted in 619 fatalities from January 2017 through December 2021 statewide. WYDOT reported 12,204 injury crashes which resulted in 16,596 injuries and 57,202 crashes which resulted in only property damage during the same time frame for a total of 69,946 winter-weather related incidents.
In Goshen County from January 2017 through December 2021, WYDOT’s data indicates there have been 1,150 winter-weather related crashes; of which 13 were fatal crashes; 15 fatalities were reported; 196 were injury crashes with 265 total injuries and 941 were property damage only crashes.

According to WYDOT, a majority of these incidents, about 87%, occurred on the U.S. Highway 85 (US-85) from Yoder to Meridian (WYDOT reports this is the third accident prone area in Southeastern Wyoming due to winter-related weather), U.S. Highway 26 (US-26) outside of Torrington going west toward Lingle, Fort Laramie and Guernsey as well as headed east to the state line and the Goshen County side of Wyoming Highway 313 (WY-313) just south of Hawk Springs and north of LaGrange.

As compared to Laramie County during the same time period, WYDOT’s data shows there were 9,867 winter-weather related crashes; of which 61 were fatal crashes; 66 fatalities were reported; 2,113 were injury crashes with 2,28 total injuries and 7,693 were property damage only crashes.

WYDOT reported 95% of its winter-related incidents in Laramie County occurred on US-85 northbound between Cheyenne and Meridian; Interstate 25 (I-25) from Cheyenne to Chugwater and again from Cheyenne to the state line; Interstate 80 (I-80) going west from Cheyenne to the state line and going west from Cheyenne to Laramie, WYDOT indicates this is the second most accident prone area due to winter-related weather in Southeastern Wyoming.

In Platte County in this period, data reported 1,932 winter-weather related crashes; of which 20 were fatal crashes; 22 fatalities were reported; 339 were injury crashes with 458 total injuries and 1,573 were property damage only crashes.

WYDOT’s data indicated 98% of Platte County’s winter-related incidents occurred on I-25 between Chugwater and Wheatland (WYDOT indicates this is the most accident prone area due to winter-related weather in all of Southeastern Wyoming); WY-313; US-26; and Wyoming Highway 34 (WY-34).

In Niobrara County the state reported 414 winter-weather related crashes; of which six were fatal crashes; nine fatalities were reported; 68 were injury crashes with 108 total injuries and 340 were property damage only crashes.

According to WYDOT, Niobrara County reported 79% of its winter-weather related incidents on US-85; U.S. Highway 18 (US-18) and U.S. Highway 20 (US-20). However, Niobrara County reported more fatal incidents on county highways, such as the 270 through Manville.

WYDOT offers a number of resources with its partners like the NWS, Goshen County Road and Bridges Department and other local winter weather services to help keep Wyomingites driving safely and informed. Such as its website and mobile device app: WyoRoads, which details road closures, driving conditions and other pertinent winter weather driving information. WYDOT encourages residents to download the app and use it when driving between cities and towns in Wyoming as weather patterns can rapidly change in short distances and time frames.

However, the Telegram recently reached out to the county and state departments, both were reporting a number of concerns and issues.

Most of these highways listed in Goshen County and nearby counties lack WYDOT cameras to help residents make better informed decisions about driving during inclement weather conditions.

From Wheatland south to Cheyenne, there are six highway cameras on I-25, but 13 cameras from Wheatland to Casper. There are only two cameras between Chugwater and Cheyenne – a portion of the I-25 where a significant portion of the states inclement weather accidents and fatalities occur; this portion of highway is extremely dangerous to travel in bad weather conditions. There are five cameras in the short distance between Cheyenne and the Colorado/Wyoming state line on the I-25.

From Laramie to Cheyenne, there are 18 cameras on I-80 but only four cameras from Cheyenne to Pine Bluffs and the Nebraska state line. 

In fact, when compared to other highways across the state, highway cameras are sprinkled fairly generously like the topping of a cake donut – except in Southeastern Wyoming.

There are two WYDOT highway cameras on I-85: both are south of LaGrange. However, there are no WYDOT cameras along I-26 from the Wyoming/Nebraska state line to where the 26 eventually connects to the I-25, where there are two cameras, one just north and one just south of the intersecting highways. The I-85 north from Lingle to Lusk has exactly one camera.

Essentially, out of the hundreds of cameras on Wyoming highways and roads: only 21 are east of I-25; and of those 21 cameras, two maybe four would be useful to Goshen County residents if they are traveling to Cheyenne, Lusk, Scottsbluff, Chugwater, Wheatland or between towns in Goshen County.

Several residents travel to and from Torrington to or from places like Cheyenne, Chugwater, LaGrange, Yoder, Fort Laramie, Guernsey, Lusk and Wheatland for work and personal things, such as grocery shopping.

WYDOT Director Luke Reiner put a moratorium in place regarding new camera installations for a number of reasons. Those reasons being: WYDOT is having concerns and issues with the camera contractors from Utah regarding WYDOT cameras and the department lacks not only funding, but also the work force to be able to install and maintain cameras at this time.

WYDOT stated although it is in their annual budget and roads plan for 2023 to be able to provide additional support, such as snow plows and highway or interstate cameras, there is currently a moratorium, or halt, in place from Reiner for such support.

WYDOT did inform the Telegram residents who do travel these roads are free to upload a camera phone image to WYDOT’s WyoRoads app because it uses the geolocation of these images to place it along the highway in the proper place to better inform residents of current conditions. This feature is not available on the website and must be done using a cellphone device and the app.

Although fully staffed at this time, Goshen County Road and Bridges has had some equipment outages but say all its machinery is road ready at this time. The county says it hopes their new mechanic can help keep those trucks on the road all winter long. As reported in other Telegram stories, Torrington is discussing an increased need for snow removal as well and working out details as to how to best address those issues and Goshen County Roads and Bridges department purchased a new 1991 Oshkosh HB-2513-MP3 Snow Blower Truck during an emergency Goshen County Commissioners meeting earlier this week to help in snow removal in the county.

The public relations department for WYDOT also stated a number of state snow plows are down due to mechanical issues, lack of staffing and snowplows being damaged in vehicle accidents. The state department also stated the current winter season has brought more snow in frequency, duration and amount than typical for this time of year. It also reported much of the state has seen higher, faster and more frequent winds making conditions near impossible to travel, even for snowplows.

In plowing from the latest storm, WYDOT reported at least eight state snowplows had become stuck in snow banks in Southeastern Wyoming and roughly 13 other snowplows had become stuck or inoperable for hours around the state. According to WYDOT and local law enforcement logs, at least two snow plows were stuck in the snow in Goshen County, at least one was stuck in Platte County and at least two were stuck in Laramie County. 

WYDOT District Engineer Mark Ayen, who covers five WYDOT districts in Southeastern, Northeastern, Central Eastern and Middle Wyoming, recently told members of the media the department is down both personnel and 62 snowplows statewide, the majority of the downed snowplows happen to be ones stationed in Southeastern and Northeastern Wyoming.

According to Ayen, the other compounding issue due to new laws and policies is CDL drivers can only drive a certain number of hours a day – which is why most work through the night or early morning to early afternoon – but Ayen noted Wyoming’s recent storms have and continue to occur after snow plows go through areas and most often in the early to late afternoon into the evening. The department noted it’s a concern because roads become undriveable between CDL drivers needed to stop for the day and residents drive home after work; he also noted the department is working out a number of ways to address this issue among shortages.

Ayen said the department is working with other districts across the state to bring excess or plows that can be lent to other districts from other areas of the state but did not have a finalized plan.

The last big snow storm, which lasted nearly six days, halted travel on all of Wyoming’s interstates, state highways, county highways and local roads; much of the state had been snowed in due to a lack of statewide snow plows. Various counties, including Goshen County, rely on state snow plowers to help maintain roads and complete snow removal.

However, the bigger danger is the rapidly changing conditions on highways in and out of Goshen County or surrounding counties, of which WYDOT public relations acknowledges it can alleviate the concern with more WYDOT cameras.
In the meantime, other surrounding county commissioners reported their counties also hosted emergency county commissioner meetings for the specific purpose to purchase out-of-state equipment for local county departments to be able to pick up where WYDOT is unable to do so at this time.

WYDOT asks residents to keep up to date using its WyoRoads app or website to monitor road conditions with notifications, maps and highway cameras. The Telegram frequently uses this service and heard concerns brought to the paper’s attention by residents who frequently travel between towns in Goshen County or to other nearby towns in Platte and Laramie counties.

Local law enforcement agencies, such as Torrington Police Department (TPD) and Goshen County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) wanted to remind residents of some winter-weather driving precautions.

The most concerning winter-weather incident both agencies say is the frequency, duration and intensity of Wyoming snow squalls. A snow squall is a brief, but highly intense period of heavy snow and extremely strong winds – where visibility is often considered whiteout conditions and does make roads seem to disappear. Snow squalls coupled with Wyoming’s extreme winds blowing across much of Wyoming’s unprotected highways is a recipe for disaster according to local law enforcement and emergency responders.

According to NWS, there is no safe way to stop, pull off or safely avoid other traffic during a snow squall and vehicles typically require ten times the stopping distance than ordinary; the intense winds frequently cause impassable snow drifts and icy road conditions. NWS advises Wyomingites to either leave their destinations for their final destinations once a snow squall alert has been sent to the public, but give themselves at least one to two hours on Wyoming highways prior to when the department says a snow squall is expected to begin. The department does not advise residents to make any attempt to outrun an incoming snow squall and said residents should wait out snow squalls where they are safest, whether it’s at home or work.

The department heads said if residents get stuck in one of Southeastern Wyoming’s frequent snow squalls, to do adhere to the following:

Plan accordingly and quickly – make quick decisions to leave work early, let schools out early or finish errands immediately.

Frequently check various state department apps and websites for incoming weather conditions and updates.

Pack extra winter items in vehicles, such as flashlights, flares, jumper cables, self-jumping devices, blankets, pillows, winter clothing – be sure to include extra socks, food and snacks, bottled water, chargers for cell phones, gloves beanies/winter head gear, extra canisters of gasoline and some typical vehicle tools.

Winterize vehicles prior to inclement weather and throughout winter with proper winter tires, proper tire pressure and working heating components.

Do not use flashers or high beams – instead, turn on fog lamps, however, if a driver gets stuck and has to pull off it’s advisable to turn on all inside dome lights with the vehicle running for as long as possible.

Drive with a full tank of gas.

Inform someone of route to and from one destination to another in case of an emergency;

Do not go around closed road gates – turn around and go back to where the driver came from;

Reduce speed to between 10 to 20 mph and exit roadway with the first opportunity to safely do so.

Avoid slamming on brakes and gently tap breaks or coast to a slower speed;

Avoid stopping on a highway until the next major exit.

Wear a seatbelt, even if stopped in case of another vehicle unable to see a parked vehicle due to poor visibility.

If a driver must exit a vehicle while stopped, it’s most advisable to find the nearest tree, guide rails or other safety barriers to stand behind – however, NWS and WYDOT do not advise getting out of vehicles.

Lastly, utilize 9-1-1 services to all dispatch regarding conditions or in the event a driver becomes disabled or needed to stop.

Local law enforcement agencies are aware of various issues which make it difficult for WYDOT and Wyoming Highway Patrol (WHP) to make it to certain roads to close roads before or during inclement weather and ask residents to look ahead for bad weather conditions before getting on highways.
WYDOT, WHP, NWS, TPD and GCSO agree and want to emphasize to residents to never try to outrun an incoming storm due to rapidly deteriorating conditions, unpredictable weather behaviors and changes and due to lack of safety personnel in various departments at this time.

For more information visit www.dot.state.wy.us, www.weather.gov/cys/ or www.whp.dot.state.wy.us.