Be prepared for anything when hitting the road this winter
Following Butler County’s first significant snowfall of the season, Butler County Emergency Services took calls regarding more than 100 incidents between 6 and 9:45 a.m.
We’ll chalk it up as “forgetting how to drive in the snow,” as we didn’t see nearly as many calls for help after the snowfall this past weekend in Butler County. Both weather events prompted schools to close and road crews to spread salt and anti-skid materials to make the roads passable.
“Our goal is to keep the roads passable,” state Department of Transportation community relations coordinator Tina Gibbs said when speaking with a reporter on Monday. “During an active snowfall, they will not (be) completely free of ice and snow.”
Over the weekend and through Monday, many roads were indeed not clear of ice and snow.
As Gibbs said, that’s expected.
In fact, salt will become less effective when the temperature drops below 25 degrees, so the road conditions remain a symptom of the weather.
What can you do as a driver?
PennDOT has some tips. These include:
- Carry a winter emergency travel kit.
- Listen to weather and travel advisories but if you don't have to travel in bad weather don’t.
- Keep your gas tank at least half full.
- Slow down and increase following distance.
- Beware of roads that may look wet but are actually frozen, often referred to as “black ice.”
- Use extra caution on bridges and ramps where ice can often form without warning.
- Carry a cellphone.
- Use your low beams in particularly bad weather, especially in cases of heavy or blowing snow.
Additionally, drivers should ensure someone knows where they are going and when they expect to arrive. In the case a driver would run into an emergency and need help, someone will know when and where to look.
PennDOT also advised that if a driver does become stranded, it can be wise to stay with the vehicle.
“Run the engine every hour or so, but make sure the tailpipe is clear and keep the downwind window cracked open,” PennDOT said.
The key, PennDOT states, is to be prepared for snow, ice and the unexpected. Travel in the winter can be unpredictable. Protect yourself and your passengers this season by being prepared.
— TL
