Winter driving tips from Plains police chief

Plains Chief of Police Shawn Emmett offers local residents some winter driving tips:

The Montana Highway Patrol investigated 147 crashes in 2016 with 160 fatalities.

As of October 2017, there have been 140 reported crashes with 150 fatalities.

With winter fast approaching, the Plains Police Department would like to remind residents of some safe winter driving tips.

In the event of bad weather, motorists should allow extra time to get to their destinations, maintain a safe distances between other vehicles and the traffic ahead and pay closer attention to bridges and overpasses than usual because the unprotected surfaces freeze before road surfaces become icy.

Above all, drive slowly, as every action involved in using a motor vehicle like accelerating, turning and braking, takes longer on snow-covered roadways.

In case of a vehicle breakdown, motorists should turn on their hazard warning lights, safely position the vehicle as far off the road as possible, call 911 for assistance and remain in the vehicle until help arrives.

If a vehicle gets stuck in the snow, drivers should make sure the exhaust pipes are free of all snow and debris in order to decrease the odds of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Prepare your vehicle for winter driving by ensuring the battery, cooling system, tires, wipers and defroster are in working order.

Snow or sleet on roadways increases distance needed to stop and cuts down on traction.

Take these four simple precautions to avoid accidents during the winter months: Do not drive impaired, slow down, maintain safe distances and pay attention.

Rubbernecking is of the most common problems law enforcement officers notice when responding to a winter accident. Drivers will frequently focus on the car in the ditch and the activity going on and don’t pay attention to what is in front of them. It’s not uncommon for chain-reaction crashes to occur because drivers are focused on other things besides the operation of their vehicle, police say.

Motorists should also stay off their cellphones when driving in winter weather as much as possible.