Think slow in the snow

Snow that could begin tonight and persist through Friday might make driving difficult for those headed out of town for the long Christmas weekend.

But Capt. Lonnie Richardson with the Idaho State Police in Lewiston said people who follow some simple principles will greatly increase their chances of travelling safely.

The most important tips revolve around time, he said, recommending that motorists simply drive slower in winter conditions and allow themselves a wider window to reach their destination.

"Leave yourself plenty of time to get from point A to point B," Richardson said before asking drivers to take an extra step when slowing down. "We get inundated at this time of year with (calls about) overdue motorists. So if you're going to be running late, it would be great if you notified the party that is awaiting your arrival."

At least half the crashes state police respond to involve more than one vehicle, he said, so drivers should keep their eyes open for mistakes made by others. That means leaving plenty of following distance so there is time to react and watching for oncoming traffic drifting across the centerline.

If a driver does see a head-on collision coming, Richardson advised decelerating and moving to the right, even if it means going off the roadway.

"Depending on what's in the ditch, you're better off taking the barrow pit than taking a head-on," he said. "A one-vehicle crash is far less tragic that a two-vehicle crash."

Richardson also advised carrying an emergency kit with supplies like a shovel, snacks, blankets, warm clothes, jumper cables and water. A container that can be used to scoop and melt snow can replace the water, he added, but said eating snow when stranded is a bad idea because it can hasten the onset of hypothermia.

Some kind of traction material like kitty litter or sand can be handy when stuck, and tubes of traction sand can also add weight when placed over the drive wheels.

Many accidents happen when drivers become impatient and try to pass slower vehicles in slick conditions. Richardson said people need to keep their urgency in check and wait for a truly safe opportunity before passing. He also said those people who aren't comfortable going as fast as other traffic shouldn't let tailgaters press them to drive outside their comfort zone.

If someone feels like they are holding up other vehicles, they can look for a safe turnout to let them pass before continuing, Richardson recommended.

He offered another tip for those driving on Lewiston's many hills. People often panic when they are travelling downhill and start sliding when they brake. The best thing to do in that situation is to shift the vehicle into neutral and slowly apply the brakes.

"You'll come to a stop much quicker and far easier than if you keep it in the drive gear," Richardson said. "It works."

And the best tip of all, he concluded, is to always wear a seat belt.

According to the National Weather Service forecast as of Wednesday night, there is a 20 percent chance that snow will start to fall tonight in the Lewiston-Clarkston Valley. That chance increases to 50 percent by Friday night, followed by clear, cold conditions for the weekend.

Precipitation may return on Christmas Day, with the chance of snow forecast at 20 percent. That chance increases slightly on Tuesday, with a forecast high of 32.

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Mills may be contacted at jmills@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2266.