Get ready for snow, increased traffic around Colorado Springs this Thanksgiving, Black Friday

Travelers preparing to hit the road for Thanksgiving celebrations this week should plan to leave early and drive slow.

Forecast snowfall combined with higher numbers of commuters on the road will likely increase travel times in and around Colorado Springs late this week and through the long weekend, weather and traffic officials said Wednesday.

"When you know there are going to be more travelers on the road, you want to give yourself more time. Combine that with snow, snow flurries and slick spots, and you need to allow even more time so you can go slow," Colorado Department of Transportation spokeswoman Amber Shipley said.

Traffic congestion is expected in and near major metropolitan areas like Colorado Springs, Denver and Fort Collins, AAA Colorado spokesman Skyler McKinley said.

"Keep a clear head. It can be frustrating having to delay seeing loved ones, but the bottom line is you want to be a deliberate driver," he said.

A storm system is expected to move into the Pikes Peak region with snow developing Thursday starting around 6 p.m. into Friday morning — one of the busiest shopping days of the year — according to Alan Rose, meteorologist with Gazette news partner KOAA.

Another round of snow is possible Friday night into Saturday morning before clearing Saturday night, according to Rose.

Snowfall amounts could be between 3 to 4 inches, the brunt of it coming Thursday night and Friday morning, said Makoto Moore, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Pueblo.

On dry roads commuters should allow between 3 to 4 seconds of delay between themselves and the vehicle in front of them, McKinley said. In icy and precipitous weather, drivers should more than double that to a minimum of 8 to 10 seconds. Commuters should also drive slow near on- and off-ramps where traffic is flowing and "do everything gradually," he said.

"Don't slam on your breaks and don't slam on the gas. If you're turning, turn gradually. Monitor your speed. Just because you're driving a big vehicle that might be equipped with the best tires and four-wheel drive, that doesn't mean you have four-wheel stop."

Plow drivers with the Colorado Department of Transportation will be on the road 24/7 during the storm, Shipley said. She reminded commuters to "bow to the plow."

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"Stay out of their way so they so they can be safe, so drivers can be safe, and (plow drivers) can get those roads cleared," she said.

AAA towing crews, Colorado State Patrol officers and first responders will also be on the roadways throughout the long holiday weekend to help rescue vehicles that may become stranded, McKinley said.

Colorado law was amended this year to extend "slow down, move over" protections to all roadway motorists, he said. Drivers must heed the law.

"If you see any vehicle in the breakdown lane with its hazard (lights) on, you must move over a lane or slow down at least 20 mph under the posted speed limit. It's the law and you can be ticketed for breaking it," McKinley said.

If at all possible the safest option is to avoid travel, Moore and Shipley said — especially for drivers who are not comfortable driving in slick or snowy conditions.

Travelers should prepare their vehicles for wintry driving conditions, including making sure tire tread depths are adequate; that the vehicle's headlights, signals and emergency flashers are working properly; and that windshield washer fluid levels are adequate. Commuters should also try to have extra supplies of items like water, protein bars, blankets and flashlights on hand in case of an emergency.

"Those are all good things," Shipley said.

Additional safe winter driving tips from the Colorado Department of Transportation are online at winter.codot.gov .

Commuters can also use the COtrip website at cotrip.org or the mobile app to check live road conditions, traffic speeds, travel alerts and watch cameras on roadways across Colorado.

On Wednesday the El Paso County Sheriff's Office partnered with Colorado State Patrol and the Colorado Springs, Fountain, Monument, Palmer Lake, Calhan and Manitou Springs police departments to ticket speeding drivers and arrest drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

For years, El Paso County has consistently ranked No. 1 in Colorado traffic fatalities, Sheriff's Office officials said in a Wednesday morning news release.

"Ultimately, our goal is to live and work in a community where our roads, regardless of location in El Paso County, are safe for everyone. Engaging in reckless or impaired driving can have serious repercussions, both in terms of harm caused and financial consequences," Sheriff Joe Roybal said.