Winter driving tips
This was the scene on Lookout Pass on Sunday morning. Snow storms are expected to continue to blanket the area over the coming days and drivers should be ready?
Courtesy photo
With the Christmas holiday a mere few days away, a large portion of Silver Valley residents will be traveling in some capacity for the weekend.
Staying safe during the holidays is not only important for citizens and their families, but also for the first responders and law enforcement agencies who don’t want to see any sort of holiday tragedy.
With heavy forecasted snow coming this way, locals can never be too safe for themselves, their families and other drivers.
Shoshone County emergency manager Dan Martinsen monitors incoming weather issues and potential emergency situations and he thinks that drivers should go back to basics when it comes to winter travel.
“When it comes to traveling on these dangerous roads it really is all about remembering what we were all taught about driving during the winter,” Martinsen said. “Take your time, keep that two-car-length space between you and other vehicles, add weight to your vehicles to help with traction, give yourself time to stop, those are all things that people can do that will make traveling a lot safer.”
Martinsen also believes in being prepared, so monitoring the weather, the road conditions, and any traffic updates can be helpful as well.
Keep an emergency winter driving kit in your car. The kit should include: flashlights with extra batteries, a first aid kit with a pocket knife, at least one blanket, an extra set of mittens, socks and a wool cap, a small sack of sand or cat litter for generating traction under the wheels, a small shovel, bottled water, booster cables, canned fruit, nuts and a non-electric can opener.
There are also several tips from the Idaho Transportation Department that should help travelers navigate the potential dangers of traveling through possible hazardous weather while coexisting with the road crews who are working to keep the roads clear.
• Remain two car lengths behind snow plow trucks for every 10 mph you drive. Sand being spread by trucks can damage your vehicle.
• Do not pass a snowplow unless it is absolutely necessary. If you must pass, do so only when you can clearly see the road ahead. Do not pass on the side where the plow is spraying snow. If you do, the snow’s force can knock your car out of control.
• Do not cut back immediately in front of a snow plow truck. The plow blades are often covered with snow and can be difficult to see.
• Do not brake suddenly if you are traveling in front of a snowplow. The heavy vehicle cannot stop as quickly as an automobile.
• Do not abandon your car unless it is absolutely necessary. However, if you must, leave it as far off the road as possible. Abandoned cars can interfere with the road clearing process and can be extremely hazardous to snow removal equipment and the operators if they are hidden or buried by snow.
• Be aware of potential icy areas such as shady spots, bridges and overpasses. Since they are exposed on their undersides, bridges and overpasses are deprived of ground warmth and freeze more rapidly than the roadways leading to them.
• Before you begin your trip, make sure your car’s windows, mirrors and lights are clear of snow. Keep your windshield washers filled with a non-freezing solution all winter.
The Idaho 511 travel information app is available for all phone users and is also available for viewing on the Idaho Transportation Department website.
The 511 app has constant updates on things like road conditions, speed changes, construction reports, accident reports, mountain passes, as well as providing drivers cameras to see what the actual roads look like.
For more information on winter driving safety or to view the online 511 Travel Information, visit itd.idaho.gov under the Travel tab.