Motorists need to follow common sense precautions to meet the challenges of winter driving in Wisconsin
It’s tough to predict whether Wisconsin will have a mild or severe winter. But it is more likely than not, there will be times when ice, snow, and limited visibility will make driving extremely difficult and perhaps impossible.
When pavement is slick from ice or snow, drivers needlessly crash or slide off the road because they were driving too fast for conditions.
“The posted speed limit is based on dry pavement and good driving conditions,” comments Wisconsin State Patrol Captain Steve G. Krueger, of the North Central Region. “But the posted limit may be too fast for conditions when a road is snow covered and slippery. The slogan ‘Snow Means Slow’ also applies to four-wheel drive and other heavy-duty vehicles. They usually need as much room to stop as other vehicles.”
A citation for driving too fast for conditions will cost motorists $213.10 with four demerit points assessed on the driver’s record, and a second violation within a year costs $263.50 with another four points.
During severe winter storms, the safest decision is to not drive until conditions improve.
“Law enforcement officers frequently respond to vehicles in the ditch and chain-reaction crashes when motorists should not have attempted to travel.,” Krueger adds. “Slowed or stalled traffic on slippery roads also delays tow trucks and snowplows, which are trying to get roads cleared, as well as emergency responders.”
Winter weather also can limit visibility, so drivers must remove all frost, ice and snow from their vehicle’s windows. “To see safely in all directions, you need to clear more than just a small patch on a windshield or rear window. Clearing snow and ice from the lights, hood and roof also helps improve visibility and safety.”
According to state law, a vehicle’s windshield, side wings, and side and rear windows must be kept clear at all times. Violating this law costs $175.30 with two demerit points, and a second violation within a year costs $213.10 with two points.
To minimize the dangers of winter driving, the State Patrol offers the following common-sense safety tips:
•Always wear your safety belt. You and your passengers absolutely need this protection even in low-speed “fender-bender” crashes that frequently occur on slick roads.
•Don’t use your cruise control in wintry conditions. Even on roads that appear clear, there may be slippery spots, which can cause a loss of traction and a spinout if the vehicle is in the cruise-control mode.
•Watch for slippery bridge decks. They ice up faster than adjacent pavement.
•Look farther up the road than you normally do. If vehicles ahead of you are swerving or show other signs of loss of traction, you should slow down and take extra precautions.
•Brake early. It takes much longer to stop in adverse conditions.
•Don’t pump anti-lock brakes. With anti-lock brakes, the correct braking method is to “stomp and steer.”
•Don’t be overconfident about the traction and stopping distance of four-wheel drive vehicles, which generally won’t grip an icy road any better than two-wheel drive vehicles.
•Avoid cutting in front of large trucks, which take longer than automobiles to slow down or stop.
•Leave plenty of room for snowplows. You must stay back at least 200 feet from the rear of a snowplow.
•Obey the Move Over Law, which requires drivers to shift lanes or slow down in order to provide a safety zone for emergency and maintenance vehicles on the side of a road with their warning lights flashing.
•If your vehicle slides off the road, gets stuck, or becomes disabled, stay inside it if at all possible with your seat belt fastened until a tow truck or other help arrives. If you’re inside your vehicle and buckled up, you have protection against out-of-control vehicles. There’s no protection outside your vehicle.