CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WAND) - The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office is providing winter weather safe driving suggestions for motorists.
“The first freezing precipitation of the season always seems to catch motorists by surprise,” said Sheriff Dustin Heuerman. “Our goal at the Sheriff’s Office is to educate motorists to help them drive safely during Winter weather."
• Drive with headlights and taillights on when actively snowing or raining - it helps other motorists see you better.
• Less traveled roadways are usually slicker than more travelled roadways. Bridges and overpasses usually freeze more quickly than other parts of the road.
• Take a few extra minutes to get where you are going - don't try to go the same speed you might when dry conditions exist.
• Don't slam on your breaks - paying attention and breaking slower will help prevent your vehicle from sliding. Focus on your driving and put the phone down - this will help you notice anything unexpected ahead of you more quickly.
The Sheriff’s Office hopes educating motorists will help prevent accidents and vehicles sliding off the roadway during slick conditions.
A deputy’s response time to disabled vehicles during hazardous weather may be extended, so it is important drivers are proactive in taking steps to minimize the chances of this happening.
As a last resort, a traffic citation for “driving too fast for conditions” may be issued to motorists who fail to take caution while driving in hazardous conditions and cause a motor vehicle accident.
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