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| Treacherous winter conditions expected to continue |
The polar vortex has made sure this winter will be a memorable one. Our faithful groundhog has even forecasted six more weeks of the cold season, so we need to stay on our toes when it comes to safety on the roads.
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| Although the overall amount of traffic is significantly reduced in severe weather conditions, a University of Iowa study found that accidents in some states are as high as 33 times more likely to occur.* Drivers have to battle reduced road friction, loss of vehicle maneuverability, travel delays and road closures, all of which increase their risk of crashing. |
| With unpredictable road conditions upon us, here are a few tips that will help you reduce the risk of an accident and conquer the snowy and icy roads: |
| • Leave extra room between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you. Remember, the larger the vehicle, the longer the stopping distance. |
| • Drive for the conditions. This means slower speeds, slower acceleration, and pump your brakes and shift into neutral to avoid sliding when slowing down. Always be mindful of black ice, which is a strong possibility and nearly impossible to see. |
| • If you find yourself sliding, turn into the slide to correct the vehicle. |
| • Have enough gas in your car to keep you warm if you are stranded and also to prevent your gas line from freezing. Condensation can build in a near-empty tank and cause it to freeze. |
| • Load your car with winter gear such as an ice scraper/brush, jumper cables, phone charger, snacks, gloves and blanket. |
| • Four-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles do not stop or steer better on ice. |
| • Slow down when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shady spots. |
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| Also, keep in mind that the riskiest time to be on the road is often right after it starts snowing or sleeting because road maintenance activities such as snowplowing or salting icy roads may not have started yet. Road maintenance crews typically focus their initial efforts on highways and areas with higher traffic congestion before local roads. Snowplows and other road maintenance vehicles must be given plenty of space to do their job. |
*“An Investigation of User Costs and Benefits of Winter Road Closures.”
Thomas H. Maze; Michael R. Crum; Garrett Burchett; Iowa State University |
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