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Lancaster Sheriff’s Station issues safety tips for driving in the snow, on icy roads

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[Image via Lancaster Sheriff’s Station.]
LANCASTER – The Lancaster Sheriff’s Station’s Traffic Office and Detective Matthew Davis are reminding residents to drive slow and steady, be courteous to others, and prepare for sudden surprises when driving in the snow or on icy roads.

Authorities on Monday issued the following safety tips:

  • Stay home. Only go out if necessary. Even if you can drive well in bad weather, it’s better to avoid taking unnecessary risks by venturing out.
  • Drive slowly. Always adjust your speed down to account for lower traction when driving on snow or ice.
  • Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Apply the gas slowly to regain traction and avoid 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.
  • Increase your following distance. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
  • Know your brakes. Whether you have anti-lock brakes or not, keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.

Dealing with ice on the road

  • Unlike snow, ice is often invisible.
  • Look for reflections in the road surface ahead; what looks like water may be ice.
  • Are roadside puddles liquid or frozen?
  • If the swishing sound of your tires on a wet road goes quiet, you may be on ice.
  •  One of the first signs of slippery conditions is if the steering becomes lighter to turn.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this information, contact the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station’s Traffic Office at 661-940-3812.

[Information via news release from the Lancaster Sheriff’s Station.]

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5 comments for "Lancaster Sheriff’s Station issues safety tips for driving in the snow, on icy roads"

  1. Also clean the snow off the top of your car before driving, it can fall down over your windshield or become a projectile and kill so,embody if it flies off of your car, this has happened in other states where it snows a lot. A lot of us here didn’t know we had to do that but it was shared about in our Facebook community group. Many of us, myself include, are completely ignorant to the possible dangers of snow, and we need to educate each other before tragedies happen! Please comment below with other precautions! Also if you get stuck in the snow somehow and it blocks your tail pipe and your engine is running, you can die of CO2 poisoning. Anything else?

  2. Most people are too self-centered and are not willing to drive slow and steady, be courteous to others, and prepare for sudden surprises when driving in the snow or icy roads. Best to stay off the roads if you can, if only to keep from being maimed or killed by someone that doesn’t care about your life.

  3. A little late, don’t you think? This should have been released Nov 20th. We’ve already had 2 good snow storms when our average is about 1 every 5 years. No snow in sight for the next 2 weeks.