Winter Weather Poses Driving Hazards
By Hilary Ingoldsby
Published: Saturday, December 11, 2004 in the Utah Statesman
Winter is here, traveling can be dangerous and students need to be more prepared.
The majority of students are not prepared for winter driving, Utah State University Police Lt. Shane Sessions said. Most people tend to put off winter preparation thinking they'll do it later and then it's suddenly too late, he said.
Sessions said drivers need to make sure their vehicles are prepared for the possibility of getting stuck or stranded. There is a list of things drivers should have in their trunks just in case. When traveling, Sessions said he suggests keeping a warm blanket in the trunk as well as food and water to last for six to 24 hours.
Drivers should also have two kinds of gloves with them: one to work on the car with and another to keep hands warm while waiting, a flashlight with extra batteries, a change of clothing and a pair of boots, Sessions said. It's also important to have a small shovel, a small bag of ice melt, a small bag of sand or a salt mixture, a tow rope and jumper cables to help drivers get back on the road.
Students and other drivers should also have their cell phones in the car with them along with a power adapter, he said. Before traveling, cars should be properly winterized. It's essential to make sure the radiator, heater, headlights and windshield wipers are functioning properly, Sessions said. It is also a good idea to check the air in tires or replace them with snow tires, he said.
"The most important thing is for students to be prepared and most of them aren't," Sessions said.
Another key factor to winter driving safety is in the act of driving itself. Drivers should plan for holiday delays, whether due to traffic or accidents, and give themselves plenty of time to arrive at their destination, Sessions said. It's also wise for drivers, when traveling, to tell friends and family where they are going, when they expect to arrive there and what route they are taking so that if they don't arrive they can receive help, he said. Drivers should also get adequate rest before leaving on a trip, Sessions said.
The majority of students are not prepared for winter driving, Utah State University Police Lt. Shane Sessions said. Most people tend to put off winter preparation thinking they'll do it later and then it's suddenly too late, he said.
Sessions said drivers need to make sure their vehicles are prepared for the possibility of getting stuck or stranded. There is a list of things drivers should have in their trunks just in case. When traveling, Sessions said he suggests keeping a warm blanket in the trunk as well as food and water to last for six to 24 hours.
Drivers should also have two kinds of gloves with them: one to work on the car with and another to keep hands warm while waiting, a flashlight with extra batteries, a change of clothing and a pair of boots, Sessions said. It's also important to have a small shovel, a small bag of ice melt, a small bag of sand or a salt mixture, a tow rope and jumper cables to help drivers get back on the road.
Students and other drivers should also have their cell phones in the car with them along with a power adapter, he said. Before traveling, cars should be properly winterized. It's essential to make sure the radiator, heater, headlights and windshield wipers are functioning properly, Sessions said. It is also a good idea to check the air in tires or replace them with snow tires, he said.
"The most important thing is for students to be prepared and most of them aren't," Sessions said.
Another key factor to winter driving safety is in the act of driving itself. Drivers should plan for holiday delays, whether due to traffic or accidents, and give themselves plenty of time to arrive at their destination, Sessions said. It's also wise for drivers, when traveling, to tell friends and family where they are going, when they expect to arrive there and what route they are taking so that if they don't arrive they can receive help, he said. Drivers should also get adequate rest before leaving on a trip, Sessions said.
Those driving also need to be defensive drivers and watch the cars behind, in front and to the side of them to be able to avoid accidents. Accidents generally increase during storms as well and while you can drive in a snow storm you probably can't drive the same speed, Sessions said.
"Slow down. You're not in the Indy 500," Sessions said.
The Utah Department of Transportation said winter driving in Utah is especially dangerous because most routes cross mountains or open valleys. For those leaving Logan, Sardine Canyon at times can be a concern, Session said.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in January 1999 three fatal deaths were caused by car accidents in Sardine Canyon in three days.
As a result, the speed limit in the canyon was reduced, concrete barriers were installed, rumble strips were placed in the center of the highway and traffic enforcement has been increased.
"Winter driving in Utah requires many skills, a watchful eye for constantly changing winter conditions and common sense," according to The Utah Department of Transportation's Web site.
-hilaryi@cc.usu.edu
"Slow down. You're not in the Indy 500," Sessions said.
The Utah Department of Transportation said winter driving in Utah is especially dangerous because most routes cross mountains or open valleys. For those leaving Logan, Sardine Canyon at times can be a concern, Session said.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in January 1999 three fatal deaths were caused by car accidents in Sardine Canyon in three days.
As a result, the speed limit in the canyon was reduced, concrete barriers were installed, rumble strips were placed in the center of the highway and traffic enforcement has been increased.
"Winter driving in Utah requires many skills, a watchful eye for constantly changing winter conditions and common sense," according to The Utah Department of Transportation's Web site.
-hilaryi@cc.usu.edu
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