2008 Woodie Awards
Highway Patrol Warns About Winter Driving
Jen Braaten/Muleskinner
Issue date: 2/1/07 Section: News
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The Midwest, notorious for its humidity in the summer and icy roads in the winter, has lived up to its reputation already this year, and forecasters are predicting more possible storms.
The Missouri Highway Patrol has a vested interest in educating the public, especially traditional (18-to 23-year-old) college students.
"Car crash is the main cause of death among 16-to 25-year-olds," said Sgt. Scott Meyer, Missouri Highway Patrol public information officer. "According to the 2005 statistics, 361 [people] were killed in Missouri; that's almost 29 percent of the fatality rate."
Winter weather has already plagued drivers in 2007. Johnson County has 25 accidents on record for January, with an average driver's age of 33. As a result of winter weather accidents, lives have been claimed in Cass, Henry and Johnson counties and two deaths in Jackson County.
Meyer said drivers should devote 100 percent of their attention to what they're doing because it takes more of an effort to be a safe driver in winter weather conditions.
"On dry pavement tires are going to have traction, but ice and snow between tire treads and pavement make it easier to lose control," Meyer said. "You don't want to do anything quickly - accelerating or slamming on the breaks."
Meyer said day-time temperatures can melt ice and snow, leaving water on roadways and bridges. Temperatures drop as the sun fades and ice re-forms, creating hazardous conditions.
"Ease off the gas pedal on bridges and coast," Meyer said. "Anything you do sudden out here, the more chance you're going to have of losing control."
So how do drivers prepare for winter weather conditions?
Pleasant Hill resident Fred Hayes said he takes his two youngest sons, Paul, 17, and John, 15, to the high school athletic complex parking lot to practice winter driving skills.
"There's no cars up there; I have them start, stop, spin out and fish tail," Hayes said.
What may seem reckless to some can actually be a valuable lesson about handling a vehicle and having a feel for slick roads.
The Missouri Highway Patrol has a vested interest in educating the public, especially traditional (18-to 23-year-old) college students.
"Car crash is the main cause of death among 16-to 25-year-olds," said Sgt. Scott Meyer, Missouri Highway Patrol public information officer. "According to the 2005 statistics, 361 [people] were killed in Missouri; that's almost 29 percent of the fatality rate."
Winter weather has already plagued drivers in 2007. Johnson County has 25 accidents on record for January, with an average driver's age of 33. As a result of winter weather accidents, lives have been claimed in Cass, Henry and Johnson counties and two deaths in Jackson County.
Meyer said drivers should devote 100 percent of their attention to what they're doing because it takes more of an effort to be a safe driver in winter weather conditions.
"On dry pavement tires are going to have traction, but ice and snow between tire treads and pavement make it easier to lose control," Meyer said. "You don't want to do anything quickly - accelerating or slamming on the breaks."
Meyer said day-time temperatures can melt ice and snow, leaving water on roadways and bridges. Temperatures drop as the sun fades and ice re-forms, creating hazardous conditions.
"Ease off the gas pedal on bridges and coast," Meyer said. "Anything you do sudden out here, the more chance you're going to have of losing control."
So how do drivers prepare for winter weather conditions?
Pleasant Hill resident Fred Hayes said he takes his two youngest sons, Paul, 17, and John, 15, to the high school athletic complex parking lot to practice winter driving skills.
"There's no cars up there; I have them start, stop, spin out and fish tail," Hayes said.
What may seem reckless to some can actually be a valuable lesson about handling a vehicle and having a feel for slick roads.
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