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* September 10, 2010

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* September 9, 2010

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* March 11, 2010

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Email: Southwestcenter@missouri.edu

Superintendent:
Dr. Richard Crawford - Bio
14548 Highway H
Mt. Vernon, MO 65712-9523
Phone: 417-466-2148
FAX: 417-466-2109
Email: crawfordr@missouri.edu

In Ice and Snow Take it Slow

Winter storms can create complications for drivers. During inclement weather, it is best to stay indoors if possible. However, we all know with our hectic schedules, sometimes you must go out. If you need to drive, here are some good tips to follow. And remember MoDOT

Winter conditions call for different driving tactics. Ice and Snow, Take it Slow - slower speed, slower acceleration, slower steering, and slower braking. Give yourself extra time to reach your destination safely. It's not worth putting yourself and others in a dangerous situation just to save time.

• Drive with your headlights on.
• Drive for conditions. Don't get overconfident with four-wheel drive. It won't help you stop any faster.
• Winter road conditions often result in longer stopping distances. Drivers should allow additional room between their vehicles and others.
• Slow down when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shady spots. These all have potential to develop black ice that makes driving hazardous.
• Avoid abrupt actions while steering, braking or accelerating to lessen the chances of losing control of the vehicle.
• Look farther ahead in traffic. Actions by other drivers will alert you to problems and give you extra time to react.
• Trucks take longer to stop. Don't cut in front of them.
• Avoid using cruise control or overdrive. Don't let your car make a bad decision for you.
• Stopping on snow and ice without skidding requires extra time and distance. If you have anti-lock brakes, press the pedal down firmly and hold it. If you don't have anti-lock brakes, gently pump the pedal. Either way, give yourself plenty of room to stop.

As the Missouri Department of Transportation prepares for the upcoming winter weather, the agency also alerts motorists to a soon-to-be-familiar refrain: In Ice and Snow, Take It Slow.

Missouri has joined with 10 other Midwestern states in a group called Clear Roads to send consistent messages during the winter season with the best advice for driving in winter weather - Ice and Snow, Take it Slow.

Clear Roads is a pooled-fund winter highway maintenance research project. Messages from the campaign developed by the group will begin this winter with posters and radio public service announcements, as well as travel tips and road condition information being provided to media outlets during winter weather events.

MoDOT uses a priority system of routes to determine which roadways are cleared first and get traffic moving as quickly as possible. The following are priority levels for snow and ice-removal:

• Priority 1: Highest traffic-volume roadways are cleared first, including interstates and other major routes. These roads receive continuous treatment throughout a storm.
• Priority 2: Lower-volume, lettered or numbered routes are opened to two-way traffic and treated with salt at critical areas such as intersections, hills and curves.

For information on road conditions across the state, safe traveling tips and a diagram on driveway clearing techniques, visit www.modot.org or call 888-ASK MODOT. Recorded road-condition information is available at (800) 222-6400.

Winter Driving Safety Tips
Slow down for wet, snowy, icy conditions.
Avoid quick braking or acceleration.
Find out about driving conditions before you go.
Every time you travel - Buckle Up.
Turn signals, brake lights and windows need to be clear of snow.
You should never use cruise control in winter weather conditions.

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agebb@missouri.edu