DPS NEWS

Q: What Should I Do to Prepare for Winter Driving?

Here are some winter driving tips everyone should follow before hitting the road this winter season:

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

• Check the weather
  • http://noaa.gov search your location and destination
  • National Weather Service Salt Lake City Twitter (includes statewide forecasts and information) – http://twitter.com/NWSSaltLakeCity
• Check road conditions
  • http://commuterlink.utah.gov – includes weather and road alerts
  • UDOT Twitter:  http://twitter.com/UtahDOT

ICE AND SNOW, TAKE IT SLOW

• Reduce your speed
• Reduce your speed (so important we’re saying it twice)
• Increase your following distance
• Give yourself more time to get where you’re going
• Buckle up – as always
• Avoid quick stops, starts and turns
• Use gradual movements to help you stay in control
• Travel BELOW the speed limit – the posted speed limit is for dry roads – if it’s wet, snowy or icy, you should be traveling BELOW the speed limit

SLOW DOWN AND MOVE OVER FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES 

• Scan ahead so you are aware of what’s going on
• Slow down BEFORE you approach emergency vehicles
• Move over a lane if it is safe and clear to do so
• Look where you want to go, not at the crash
• Watch this video to see what the consequences of not moving over can be

PACK YOUR EMERGENCY KIT