Police Department offers winter weather driving tips

ST. GEORGE – Following a winter weather advisory and warning issued Tuesday by the National Weather Service for Southern Utah, the St. George Police Department offered driving tips for the cold weather.

“Our area is expected to get upwards of 3 inches of snow during this time,” the St. George Police said in a statement released Tuesday. “With snow comes new driving challenges that many of us here in Southern Utah are not used to ….”


Read more: Got snow? NWS upgrades alerts for So. Utah, Nevada; issues advisory for Dixie


The Police Department offered the following list of driving tips to help drivers stay safe:

Prior to the snow

  • Check that each of your tires has at least a 6/32-inch, or 4.8-millimeter, deep tread and that they are properly inflated
  • Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up
  • Check your antifreeze levels and battery power and make sure that your defroster and rear window defogger work
  • Put some blankets, jumper cables, flashlights, kitty litter – or sand or strips of carpet – in your vehicle for traction if you get stuck, a snow shovel and a scraper
  • If you can get your errands done now before the storm hits then please do it

“It’s much better to be warm and snuggled up at home,” the statement said, “rather than out struggling through the conditions.”

When the snow hits

  • Clear snow and ice from all windows and lights – even the hood and roof – before driving

“There’s nothing worse than snow sliding off the roof of your vehicle and onto your windshield, obstructing your view.”

  • Prior to hitting the road, turn on your lights and put your seat belt on
  • Slow down – the posted speed limits are for dry weather conditions so be extra safe
  • Do not use cruise control. Roads that appear clear can have sudden slippery spots and the slightest touch of your brakes to deactivate the cruise control can cause you to lose control of your vehicle
  • Double or triple your normal distance between cars, giving yourself a minimum braking distance of six seconds
  • Remember that bridges and highway exits have a tendency to be icier than other areas of the roads so slow down before you get to them

If you get stuck

  • Call for help
  • Unless you are near a business, do not try to walk your way out – wait for help
  • If you want to leave your car running make sure your exhaust is clear of snow or your vehicle will fill with carbon dioxide which can lead to severe sickness or death

In the event of a crash, call 435-627-4300.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2014, all rights reserved.

 

 

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7 Comments

  • sagemoon December 30, 2014 at 12:52 pm

    The officer giving this advice must be from northern Utah. I was scared when I saw it was advice release by St. George PD. What do they know about snow? He, he.

    • Joe Smith December 30, 2014 at 6:04 pm

      Figure they might say “drive like … and let God sort them out” 😀 xD
      Ed. ellipsis

  • Just Ben December 30, 2014 at 5:43 pm

    Thank you, Kimberly, for making sure this information gets to the masses. Hopefully it keeps at least one person or family safe that otherwise might be injured in one way or another.

  • NewGuy December 30, 2014 at 7:32 pm

    Scared? His advice must have worked with you SageMoon. Now lock your door.

  • Evil twins mommy December 31, 2014 at 1:56 am

    Good article thanks for showing it

  • Koolaid December 31, 2014 at 10:26 am

    Smart drivers will stay off the roads, avoid those Dixie drivers who shouldn’t be driving.

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