Winter Driving Tips

FOUR STATE ROADS ARE DANGEROUS AND SLICK.... AS THE FIRST SNOW OF THE WINTER CAME ROLLING IN...SO DID THE CONDITIONS FOR DANGEROUS DRIVING. IN FACT, OFFICERS FROM THE JOPLIN POLICE DEPARTMENT HAVE RESPONDED TO NEARLY 30 ACCIDENTS IN 24 HOURS. OFFICERS SAY TO BE ESPECIALLY CAREFUL ON BACK AND SIDE ROADS. IF YOU HAVE TO GET OUT IT`S BEST FOR DRIVERS TO STAY ON THE MAIN ROADS. JOPLIN POLICE SGT. KEVIN KLINK SAYS MANY DRIVERS AREN`T PREPARED FOR THE SNOW. HE SAYS BEFORE YOU EVEN ENTER THE CAR YOU NEED TO CLEAR ALL OF YOUR WINDOWS, BOTH YOUR HEAD AND TAIL LIGHTS... ALSO, MAKE SURE YOU WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE CLEAR. SGT. KLINK SAYS WHEN MANY DRIVERS HIT SNOWY ROADS...THEIR OWN MISTAKES ARE WHAT GET THEM IN TROUBLE. SGT. KEVIN KLINK SAYS "The biggest single one is their going too fast for the conditions and the second is not allowing enough distance to stop." HE SAYS IF YOU DO GET INTO A FISHTAIL THE BEST WAY TO GET BACK INTO CONTROL IS TO COUNTER-STEER. ALSO, IF YOU HAVE ANTI-LOCK BREAKS..DO NOT PUMP YOUR BREAKS.. IF YOU DON`T HAVE ANTI-LOCK BREAKS..DO PUMP YOUR BREAKS. OFFICERS SAY ITS BEST NOT TO GET OUT IN THE SNOW...BUT IF YOU ABSOULUTELY HAVE TO DRIVE REMEMBER TO SLOW DOWN, TAKE YOUR TIME, LEAVE EXTRA SPACE TO STOP BETWEEN CARS...AND JUST BE EXTRA CAREFUL! Reported By: Courtney Cullor