Another winter storm is in the weather forecast, and Missourian’s are urged to prepare for a combination of snow, rain, colder temperatures, and wind this weekend. Each of these conditions affect traffic patterns and can make driving hazardous. Although fewer inches of snow are expected this weekend, lower overnight temperatures will cause wet roadways to freeze and become slick. Winds Saturday are expected to gust from 30-35 mph. Much of the state will experience single digit to upper 20s temperatures this Sunday.
Last weekend, the major snowstorm resulted in stranded motorists and a sharp increase in traffic crashes. From 12 p.m. Friday, January 11, 2019, through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, January 13, 2018, troopers:
Responded to 5,035 calls for service;
Assisted 2,054 stranded motorists; and
Investigated 1,026 traffic crashes including four fatalities and 81 injuries.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol urges everyone to pay attention to changing weather conditions and make smart decisions regarding travel this weekend. If conditions dictate, avoid driving on Missouri’s roadways. If you must travel, make sure your vehicle is completely clean from snow and ice, use your headlights to increase visibility, and reduce your speed when the roadway appears wet or snow is present. Do not use cruise control and increase your following distance. It is next to impossible to stop quickly on snow-covered or slick roads. Allow extra driving time for you to reach your destination at a slow, safe speed. Remember: Missouri law states if you’re using your windshield wipers, your headlights must be turned on.
During inclement weather, driving the speed limit is not "exercising the highest degree of care." Missouri law (Section 304.012 RSMo.) states the responsibility of exercising the highest degree of care while driving rests on the driver's shoulders.
If you choose to travel in inclement weather, the Missouri State Highway Patrol suggests keeping your fuel tank at least half full. Having an ice scraper, battery booster cables, blankets, extra coats, gloves, water, non-perishable food, first aid kit, flashlight, small shovel, and a bag of sand or cat litter in your trunk can help in an emergency. It only takes one traffic crash to close a roadway for several hours. Being prepared is critical.
Before you travel, make sure your cell phone is fully charged and keep it with you. Do not use your cell phone when you are driving; park your vehicle well off the roadway or in a parking lot before placing a call. The Missouri State Highway Patrol emergency number is 1-800-525-5555 (or *55 on a cellular phone). These numbers ring at the nearest troop headquarters. We're here to help.
If you are involved in a crash or slide off the roadway, stay inside your vehicle with your seat belt on. During inclement weather, multiple vehicles often crash or slide off the roadway at the same location. If you are walking around your vehicle, the chances of being injured or killed is much greater. The safest course of action is to contact law enforcement by cell phone and remain inside your vehicle. When remaining in your vehicle, place it in park and turn off the engine. Carbon monoxide poisoning is a possibility if the exhaust system was damaged or is blocked by snow or debris after a traffic crash. There are also health concerns in cold weather conditions: Understand the signs of hypothermia and frostbite and how to prevent them. Create a plan to handle the possibility of becoming stranded. If there are no injuries in the crash, the vehicles should be moved off the roadway to a safer location while waiting for law enforcement to arrive.
Motorists should check road conditions before driving to help determine if the trip can be completed safely. Consulting Missouri’s Road Condition Report (1-888-275-6636) or MoDOT’s Road Condition Map at http://traveler.modot.org/map/ can provide the most current road condition information available.
Winter weather affects driving conditions and traffic patterns. Strong winds move snow and affect visibility. Please remember to buckle up, pay attention, be courteous, and obey all traffic laws. Remember: When weather conditions make driving hazardous, drive only when absolutely necessary.
No comments:
Post a Comment