Driving dangers arrive with winter weather

Sisters woke up to less than an inch of snow last Thursday, but it sat on top of ice for much of the day. The scene repeated itself throughout the weekend. Even seasoned drivers were surprised at how slick the roads were. For several days temperatures barely climbed to a point where the roads completely dried out.

Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) sanded and sprayed, yet drivers remained frustrated with numerous fender benders, and vehicles sliding into ditches.

There were coffeehouse grumblings about lack of cinders on approaches to intersections.

“It’s a skating rink out there,” said Lyle Walton, who reported a few cars on East Barclay Drive that slid into the swales.

Many stayed home and church parking lots Sunday were noticeably thinner. Downtown merchants were shoveling about two inches Sunday, wondering if it was even worth opening for the day.

“Nobody wants to be out when it’s like this,” said Maddie Kaufman, clearing a path in front of the shop where she works.

Lt. Chad Davis, who heads the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Sisters substation, and other experts have many driving tips for winter weather driving but their key takeaway: slow down.

Davis told The Nugget, “Once your vehicle is ready to go, clear all your windows so you can see properly out of your vehicle. Too often we see drivers who have only a small section of their windshield cleared, which limits their ability to see other vehicles or hazards on the roads. Wear your seatbelt and ensure your passengers are buckled up as well.

“Once you start driving, slow down. Leave early for trips, so you have plenty of time to drive slower and anticipate slowdowns or traffic crashes.”

The advice seems simple enough, yet speed is the number one cause of winter road accidents in most states. Many accidents occur at intersections.

“Brake well in advance of intersections, stop signs, or signals. Try to slow down in a controlled manner and then roll up to intersections. Increase your following distance between the vehicle you are following, in anticipation of other vehicles losing control or stopping suddenly. Pay attention to other vehicles and anticipate what other drivers may do in front of you,” Davis said.

The U.S. Department of Transportation says, “Over 70 percent of the nation’s roads are in snowy regions, which receive more than five inches average snowfall annually. Nearly 70 percent of the U.S. population lives in these snowy regions. Snow and ice reduce pavement friction and vehicle maneuverability, causing slower speeds, reduced roadway capacity, and increased crash risk.

“Average arterial speeds decline by 30 to 40 percent on snowy or slushy pavement. Freeway speeds are reduced by 3 to 13 percent in light snow and by 5 to 40 percent in heavy snow. Heavy snow and sleet can also reduce visibility. Lanes and roads are obstructed by snow accumulation, which reduces capacity and increases travel time delay.

“Each year, 24 percent of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement and 15 percent happen during snowfall or sleet. Over 1,300 people are killed and more than 116,800 people are injured in vehicle crashes on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement annually. Every year, nearly 900 people are killed and nearly 76,000 people are injured in vehicle crashes during snowfall or sleet. Snow and ice increase road maintenance costs.”

“Patience is the key,” ODOT managers say. “Allow extra time to get where you’re going and allow extra stopping distance. There is less traction on slick, snowy roads. Brake gently to avoid skidding or sliding. If the wheels lock up, ease off the brakes.”

Fog has been a problem as well with the airport in Redmond having seen as many as 50 percent of all flights cancelled on several days over the last two weeks.

Reduced visibility is a major cause of winter collisions, with many drivers following too closely to the vehicle in front of them. If you can’t see the road, don’t drive through. Stop, back up, turn on your hazard lights.

Wildlife is also disoriented in heavy snow causing more collisions which can be fatal to vehicle occupants mostly from swerving to avoid the animal only to hit a tree, pole, or barrier.