What are common mistakes drivers make during winter weather conditions?
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IDAHO FALLS — Driving too fast, not braking soon enough, or not staying focused on the road. What are the top mistakes people make while driving in winter weather conditions?
“Clearing all your windows, speed and inattention,” said Sgt. Bryan Lovell with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office. “One of the biggest things that we see is that people don’t adjust their driving habits.”
In the winter, some drivers are in such a rush to get to their destinations that they don’t properly prepare their vehicles, like clearing windshields and windows.
RELATED | Clear off your car windows or get a ticket
“It’s hard enough to see in winter weather and low visibility conditions. Why wouldn’t you want to see as much as you can around you?” Lovell said.
Turns out, if you don’t clean snow and ice properly off of your windshield, you could get a $67 fine.
A crash happened in December due to this in Teton County. The vehicle with the obstructed windshield failed to stop at a stop sign and t-boned a Grand Targhee Ski Resort transit van, forcing it off the road and overturning it.
RELATED | Drivers urged to scrape windshields after car hits van
The Teton County Sheriff’s Office posted pictures on Facebook of the obstructed window on the vehicle involved in the crash. It appears the windshield had ice on it that was barely scraped off.
ISP Lt. Marvin Crain added that vehicles should be prepared for slick driving conditions.
“That means— do you have good tires? Are they snow tires? Are they studded? Have you prepared your vehicle for the conditions?” he said.
Crain, like Lovell, explained it’s important to drive to the conditions and build time into your travel while also staying focused on the roads.
Lovell said people tend to get distracted while driving, especially if there is a crash.
“People get busy at seeing what’s going on and they don’t pay attention to their own speed and how they are traveling,” he said.
On Tuesday, a vehicle narrowly missed emergency personnel on Highway 26. According to a news release from the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office, a vehicle came through a crash scene on the right shoulder, around an Idaho State Patrol vehicle, almost hitting several emergency vehicles at speeds too fast for conditions.
The incident was caught on video.
WARNING: Eastern Idaho is currently experiencing extreme winter conditions. Drivers are reminded to slow down, be aware of closed roadways, and be prepared for winter driving… Check https://t.co/TrgVVkPaap for updated information! pic.twitter.com/aFQuRIMQOb
— Idaho State Police (@ISPeasternIdaho) February 28, 2023
Highway 26 was shut down on Tuesday due to whiteout weather conditions. Several crashes were reported.
RELATED | Multiple crashes reported, several highways closed due to weather conditions
“A good reminder for people—when they see flashing lights, emergency lights, tow trucks lights, ambulance, fire trucks, cop cars— they need to slow down and anticipate that so they are not caught up in an extra crash,” said Lovell.
Ultimately, it’s obvious it’s winter, and the need to be cautious is crucial.
“You can’t forget that when you are planning to go from point A to point B,” said Lovell.
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