Sheriff's Office

Tips For Driving In The Ice And Snow

Stay home. If you really don’t have to go out, don’t. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don’t tempt fate: If you don’t have somewhere you have to be, watch the snow from indoors. But if you do have to drive in the winter weather, remember these tips.

Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning – nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.

Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.

Give space. The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.

Know your brakes. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS) and need to slow down quickly, press hard on the pedal-it’s normal for the pedal to vibrate a bit when the ABS is activated.

Don’t come to a complete stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down early enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.

Don’t power up hills and don’t stop going up a hill. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little momentum going before you reach the hill and let it carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed down hill as slowly as possible.

Don't use cruise control. When driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand). Quick reactions are needed, be alert and ready to respond to the conditions.

And remember these vehicle safety tips:

• Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle. 
• Never run a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
• Make certain your tires are properly inflated.
• Top off you windshield washer fluid.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full.
• Properly clear ice and snow from the windshield and roof of your vehicle
• If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather.
• Keep a winter specific survival kit in your vehicle including items like, a blanket, boots, kity litter and snacks.

School buses are the safest way for students to travel, but children also need to do their part to stay alert and aware of their surroundings to prevent injury. NSC urges parents to teach their children the following safety rules for getting on and off the bus, and for exercising good behavior while riding.

Getting on the Bus:

• When waiting for the bus, stay away from traffic and avoid roughhousing or other behavior that can lead to carelessness
• Do not stray onto the street, alleys or private property
• Line up away from the street or road as the bus approaches
• Wait until the bus has stopped and the door opens before approaching the bus
• Use the handrail when boarding

Behavior on the Bus:

• If seat belts are available on the bus, buckle up
• Don't speak loudly or make loud noises that could distract the driver
• Stay in your seat
• Don't put your head, arms or hands out the window
• Keep aisles clear of books and bags
• Get your belongings together before reaching your stop
• Wait for the bus to stop completely before getting up from your seat

Getting Off the Bus:

• Use the handrail when exiting If you have to cross in front of the bus, first walk at least 10 feet ahead until you can see the driver
• Make sure the driver can see you Wait for a signal from the driver before crossing
• When the driver signals, look left, right, then left again.
• Walk across the road and keep an eye out for sudden traffic changes If your vision is blocked, move to an area where you can see other drivers and they can see you
• Do not cross the center line of the road until the driver signals it is safe
• Stay away from the rear wheels of the bus at all times

More school-age pedestrians have been killed during the hour before and after school than any other time of day, according to NHTSA. And, although drivers are required by law to stop for a school bus when it's loading or unloading passengers, they often don't. Children should not rely on them to do so.