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With the number of weather-related accidents on the rise along U.S. 54, drivers in Kiowa County are encouraged to get reacquainted with winter road safety.
“Usually what we see as the biggest contributing factor to early winter accidents is exactly what we saw a couple of Fridays ago, “ said the Director of Kiowa County EMS Chad Pore, whose department is among the first responders to accidents.
“It can be very dangerous when there’s no snow on the ground, but there is moisture and dropping temperatures. A lot of people call it “black ice” or whatever you want to call it, but that’s typically the type of scenario that causes accidents early in the season.”
Pore says that early winter accidents can occur because without snow on the ground, people are not thinking about reduced speeds or slippery roadways.
“People should pay attention to the weather a bit, make sure they know when the temperature is below freezing and that when there is moisture, there is a chance of ice on the roads.”
The Kansas Department of Transportation’s guidelines suggest drivers call either 5-1-1 or 1-866-511-KDOT to find out local road conditions, and be prepared for the changing of the seasons and the weather that accompanies it.
KDOT recommends drivers get a tune up and oil change to winterize your vehicle and prevent breakdowns. Reduce your speeds and increase following distances. Allow extra time for road travel. Accelerate and brake gently to avoid loosing control of the vehicle. Turn off your cruise control and avoid talking on cell phones and texting while driving.
Pore also reminds drivers that road conditions can vary from street to street.
“On the highway and even in town, roads are different. Just because one area doesn’t seem like it’s frozen, doesn’t mean it’s the same elsewhere,” continued Pore. “One of the most dangerous places are bridges. People should remember that bridges are always going to ice over first. That was the cause of the first wreck a couple of Friday’s ago. They hit the bridge and that was it.
“Be aware of the weather, and remember that it’s much easier to drive slow and take a little bit longer to get somewhere than it is to slide off the road and roll over. If you roll into a ditch, you’re not going to get there at all.”
editor@kiowacountysignal.com
With the number of weather-related accidents on the rise along U.S. 54, drivers in Kiowa County are encouraged to get reacquainted with winter road safety.
“Usually what we see as the biggest contributing factor to early winter accidents is exactly what we saw a couple of Fridays ago, “ said the Director of Kiowa County EMS Chad Pore, whose department is among the first responders to accidents.
“It can be very dangerous when there’s no snow on the ground, but there is moisture and dropping temperatures. A lot of people call it “black ice” or whatever you want to call it, but that’s typically the type of scenario that causes accidents early in the season.”
Pore says that early winter accidents can occur because without snow on the ground, people are not thinking about reduced speeds or slippery roadways.
“People should pay attention to the weather a bit, make sure they know when the temperature is below freezing and that when there is moisture, there is a chance of ice on the roads.”
The Kansas Department of Transportation’s guidelines suggest drivers call either 5-1-1 or 1-866-511-KDOT to find out local road conditions, and be prepared for the changing of the seasons and the weather that accompanies it.
KDOT recommends drivers get a tune up and oil change to winterize your vehicle and prevent breakdowns. Reduce your speeds and increase following distances. Allow extra time for road travel. Accelerate and brake gently to avoid loosing control of the vehicle. Turn off your cruise control and avoid talking on cell phones and texting while driving.
Pore also reminds drivers that road conditions can vary from street to street.
“On the highway and even in town, roads are different. Just because one area doesn’t seem like it’s frozen, doesn’t mean it’s the same elsewhere,” continued Pore. “One of the most dangerous places are bridges. People should remember that bridges are always going to ice over first. That was the cause of the first wreck a couple of Friday’s ago. They hit the bridge and that was it.
“Be aware of the weather, and remember that it’s much easier to drive slow and take a little bit longer to get somewhere than it is to slide off the road and roll over. If you roll into a ditch, you’re not going to get there at all.”
editor@kiowacountysignal.com
