Following snowfall Thursday with more forecast for the weekend, residents are being reminded to exercise extra caution on the roads in winter driving conditions.
Pottawatomie County Public Works Director Peter Clark told KMAN that roads can become slushy or even snow-packed in the winter season. He said that motorists should watch the weather and plan ahead in the event of snowy conditions.
“[If] you’ve already made a plan for what you need — what groceries you need, where you need to be — you can make sure you don’t have to drive out in the snow if at all possible,” said Clark. “That’s something that’s in our control and just takes a little bit of time to think about it a couple days ahead of time and make a decision [to]put yourself in the safest position possible.”
Clark said that if roads do get snow-packed, they recommend drivers avoid getting on the road if possible in the first place. He added that if you do have to drive in slick conditions, take it slow and don’t be in a rush as they see an uptick in vehicle collisions resulting from loss of traction during winter. Clark echoed advise shared by the Kansas Highway Patrol recommending drivers increase the distance between your vehicle and others on the road.
“You want to probably double those distances,” Clark said. “That safe distance you think is a safe distance in a dry pavement condition, in a snowy or potentially icy weather condition you’d want to have at least double that space between you and the driver ahead of you.”
Riley County Public Works Director Leon Hobson also spoke with KMAN on the topic. Hobson’s main advice to take it slow mirrored Clark’s, but Hobson also said motorists should also be more alert when crossing bridges.
“They may be slick they may be at a lower temperature and generally begin to ice sooner [than a surface road],” Hobson said. “So you always want to be careful.”‘
Hobson said that drivers can check the KanDrive website to see the latest on state road conditions. He said the county doesn’t have any system like that, but recommended motorists stay alert and always expect the worst regarding road conditions as well as to be prepared to take alternate routes.
