Five Things You Can Tell Your Neighbors About Safe Winter Travel

With the upcoming winter weather, motorists are counting on MoDOT to keep roads clear and safe for travel. But motorists have a responsibility also and need to drive cautiously, pay extra attention to signs and drive defensively. When talking to your friends and neighbors about what we do, here are five things to share:

1. Remember to always buckle up. MoDOT works hard to clear roads fast and make them safe for motorists, after a winter storm. However, winter weather makes for abnormal driving conditions, which means greater possibility for crashes and injuries.In 2006, 14 people were killed, 109 seriously injured and 837 received minor injuries when there was snow, ice or slush on the roadway.In 2006, inattention was the largest contributing factor to traffic crashes during the winter months.
2. Prepare before you go. This is one good way not to become a statistic. Before leaving home, find out about the driving conditions at www.modot.org, call 888-ASK MODOT or call 800-222-6400 for recorded road-condition information. If the weather is bad, remember, ice and snow, take it slow, or just don’t go. Give yourself extra time to reach your destination safely. Check your vehicle's tires, brakes, fluids, wiper blades, lights, belts, and hoses to make sure they‘re in good condition before the start of the winter season.
3. Drive correctly for the conditions. Slow down for wet, snowy, or icy conditions; when visibility is poor; or when conditions are changing or unpredictable. Avoid excessive actions while steering, braking or accelerating to reduce the chances of losing control of the vehicle. Slow down when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shady spots. Allow additional room between your vehicle and others.
4. Don’t crowd the plow. Motorists should give snowplows plenty of room to work, remember not to tailgate and try not to pass. Don’t travel beside a plow for long periods. When plowing through a snowdrift or packed snow, the impact can move the truck sideways. Snowplows travel much slower than the posted speeds while removing snow and ice from the roads. When you spot a plow, allow plenty of time to slow down.
5. Practice safe driving maneuvers. Winter conditions call for different driving tactics. Ice and snow, take it slow—slower speed, slower acceleration, slower steering and slower braking. On snow and ice, go slowly, no matter what type of vehicle you drive. Brake early, brake slowly, brake correctly, and never slam on the brakes.