The Niles Star

Sheriff: prepare for winter driving

Sheriff L. Paul Bailey wants to remind Berrien County Residents that winter weather is just around the corner. Bailey wants everyone to have a safe Thanksgiving.

Always wear your seat belt when driving and make your sure your children are buckled up and in a correct fitting child safety seat or booster seat.

Winter brings out the worst in automobiles. Now is the time to get your car in shape:
• Check the antifreeze

• Check the wipers and fill washer with non freezing solution

• Check your headlights, brake lights and tail lights , side and review mirrors (remember to clear off the snow)

• Make sure roof is clear of snow

• Keep tires properly inflated

• Keep gas tank at least half full

• Survival kit  – warm clothes, blanket, small shovel , first aid kit, flashlight, bag of salt or kitty litter, charged cell phone, booster cables, flares or traffic triangles and ice scraper and snow brush.

While you are driving in stormy conditions:

• Keep your low beams on, even during the day

• Slow down – posted speed limits are set for ideal road and weather conditions

• Do everything more slowly – turning, stopping and accelerating

• Place greater distance between your car and the one in front of you. Slippery conditions can triple the distance it takes to come to a complete stop

• Drive defensively
• Use extra caution on shaded areas and bridges, overpasses and intersections.
• Beware of black ice – the road appears dry but is darker than usual and very slick

• If your vehicle begins to fish tail, turn in the direction of the skid.

• When braking on a slippery surface, allow plenty of time and pump the brakes gently to avoid skidding. Anti-lock brakes provide the lone exception to this rule.  If you have ABS, press on the brake pedal firmly and hold. Expect noise and vibration; this means the ABS is working. Always look and steer where you want to go.

If your vehicle gets stuck in the snow gently rock back and forth to gain momentum. Place sand, salt or cat litter under the wheels for traction. If none of these things work, stay with your vehicle and using your cell phone call for a wrecker if no damage is done to your vehicle or surrounding property.  If your vehicle has been damaged or property has been damaged call the non-emergency number for a report.

Be aware of emergency vehicles and road commission work crews trying to make your roads safe. Slow down!

Remember, Michigan has a basic speed law that requires you to keep your car under control at all times. You may only be alble to drive as fast as the weather conditions allow.  The Berrien County Sheriff’s department wants everyone to be pepared, be alert and be safe.  Remember give yourself more time to get to your destinations.