Chief George R. Boatright
“The police are the public and the public are the police; the police being only members of the public who are paid to give full time attention to duties which are incumbent on every citizen in the interest of community welfare and existence.” Sir Robert Peel
Winter Driving Safety
A number of circumstances come together at this time of year that promotes situations that are perilous to drivers and others who find themselves on or near our roadways. Our schools are operating at full swing. This results in children along our roadways either walking to or from school or waiting along dismally lit roadways for the arrival of school buses.
Then, there are the compounding factors. Our days are becoming shorter resulting in children walking along roadways or boarding busses in darkened lighting conditions. These youngsters may only be illuminated as headlights reflect from a light object on or near their frequently muted clothing. Now, we add the coming flurries of snow and accompanying icy surfaces coupled with roadway shoulders too deep in snow to be navigable for adults, sans children. With snow falling, visibility may be so restricted it can be difficult to see pedestrians or slow moving equipment.
Always wear your safety belt. Slow down. A speed limit of 35 miles an hour on a city street may be safe in dry weather - but an invitation for trouble on snow and ice. Snow and ice make stopping distances much longer, so allow more distance between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead. Bridge decks and shady spots can be icy when other areas are not. Remember to avoid sudden stops and quick direction changes and that having four-wheel drive does not enhance your ability to stop on the ice.
Take time to completely clear your windshield, windows, mirrors and lights before you begin a trip. Starting your drive with the windshield partially covered with snow and ice is not only dangerous, it’s illegal, and you can be cited for such. Always drive with your lights on low beam, even during daylight hours. Although this may not improve your ability to see, it will make it easier for the other vehicle drivers to see you and to judge your speed and distance.
Now I must ask, what is the price of being a few minutes early to facilitate picking up a mocha on the way to work? I leave it to you to draw the conclusions; I prefer not to revisit accident scenes of the past, many too garish to tolerate description.
