Unsafe Conditions Elicit Need for Safer Driving Practices

By Stephen Ditty

Snow storms, cold temperatures, and snowboards on top of cars are the usual sign that winter is back again, and with that, the dangers of winter driving.

Winter driving brings on an entire new set of hazards to deal with in addition to regular driving. Snowstorms, black ice, slush, snow, and a loss of direction are just a few of the other dangers.

The Utah Highway Patrol Safety Office reports in 2007, “there were 11,342 crashes in Utah during inclement weather.”

Steve Galley, Driver’s Education teacher, said the best way to avoid being caught in a bad winter driving situation and potentially a crash is “not to drive at all.”

“Teens don’t understand the dramatically increased stopping distance their cars need,” Galley said. “And speeding in conditions speaks for itself. It’s just dangerous.”

Several of the car crashes during the winter are caused by teenagers and young adults. Utah Highway Patrol reports that over 50 percent of the crashes during inclement weather are caused by drivers under the age of 30.

Although there are numerous dangers out on the road, the Utah Department of Health provides safety tips to prevent further crashes and deaths on Utah roads. They include to always wear seat belts to prevent injuries during a crash; make sure the route isn’t closed and know how to get to the destination; have a full gas tank so the car doesn’t run out of gas and becomes stranded; drive slower than the posted speed limit; keep the car headlights on low, so the high beams don’t blind the driver during a snowstorm; always be on the lookout for black ice when driving at night; and take turns, stops, and accelerate slowly to avoid skidding the car.

Also, according to the Utah Highway Patrol, both SUVs and pick-up trucks have an extra 15 percent chance to get into a crash during the winter season.

For more information on driving in winter conditions and how to avoid a car crash, visit (www.health.utah.gov), or call the Utah Highway Patrol at 801-965-4518.