Area emergency officials respond to more serious motor vehicle accidents during the winter season and advise citizens to follow some basic driving tips, especially during snow or ice.
Some snowflakes fell on the first official day of winter Friday. About 10 vehicles veered off the road in the same 30-minute period that morning, said Boyle County Sheriff Marty Elliott.
All drivers must change their usual habits even in light snow or ice, the sheriff said.
“There is such a major difference between driving in regular conditions and driving during inclement weather,” Elliott said. “For starters, it takes longer to stop your vehicle.”
Drivers normally should keep their vehicles about two to two-and-a-half car lengths behind other vehicles. During bad weather conditions, drivers should double that following distance.
Traffic laws require people to drive under the speed limit in challenging road conditions. Elliott and deputies have cited people for driving the speed limit during snow or ice.
“If the speed limit sign says 55, you should be going about 40,” the sheriff said.
Elliott and Kentucky State Police advise residents to avoid driving during inclement winter weather. Additional safety tips for people who must drive during poor weather conditions are as follows:
“Patience is the key to driving safely at any time, especially during winter weather,” Elliott said. “Also, please have consideration for other drivers.”
Some snowflakes fell on the first official day of winter Friday. About 10 vehicles veered off the road in the same 30-minute period that morning, said Boyle County Sheriff Marty Elliott.
All drivers must change their usual habits even in light snow or ice, the sheriff said.
“There is such a major difference between driving in regular conditions and driving during inclement weather,” Elliott said. “For starters, it takes longer to stop your vehicle.”
Drivers normally should keep their vehicles about two to two-and-a-half car lengths behind other vehicles. During bad weather conditions, drivers should double that following distance.
Traffic laws require people to drive under the speed limit in challenging road conditions. Elliott and deputies have cited people for driving the speed limit during snow or ice.
“If the speed limit sign says 55, you should be going about 40,” the sheriff said.
Elliott and Kentucky State Police advise residents to avoid driving during inclement winter weather. Additional safety tips for people who must drive during poor weather conditions are as follows:
- Allow plenty of time to get to your destination.
- Do not use cruise control.
- Remember that bridges as well as exit and entrance ramps can be icy when other areas do not have ice accumulation.
- Give snow plows plenty of room and don’t pass them.
“Patience is the key to driving safely at any time, especially during winter weather,” Elliott said. “Also, please have consideration for other drivers.”
