Trooper Kathy: What is the biggest factor contributing to weather related crashes?Now that our winter driving season is upon us I would like to comment about a few things. Many of you have taken defensive driving courses from me and may remember when I told you to quit blaming the roads for your crashes. It is the driver’s responsibility to have their vehicle under control at all times. If it is icy, 40 miles an hour might be too fast. The first thing I would like you to do when the weather or roads are bad is to decide if this trip is really necessary? You must take into consideration your age, driving ability (although everyone I’ve ever met is a "good" driver), road and weather conditions, and mostly how far are you willing to walk if you have trouble?Many people have an undeserved sense of security when they carry cell phones. A cell phone cannot dig you out of a ditch or provide warmth. All it can do is let someone else know where you are. If the roads weren’t safe for you, they aren’t going to be safe for them either.If you do decide to drive in less than perfect driving conditions remember:SLOW DOWN WHEN YOU SEE RED LIGHTSSLOW DOWN WHEN THE ROADS ARE SLICK SLOW DOWN WHEN YOU ARE TOO CLOSE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOUSLOW DOWN JUST FOR THE SAKE OF TAKING INVENTORY OF THE CONDITIONS WHICH SURROUND YOUYOU CAN MAKE MORE APPROPRIATE DECISIONS ABOUT YOUR SPEED if you SLOW DOWN!If you have any questions regarding traffic safety or traffic law, write to Sgt. Kathryn Pederson at Minnesota State Patrol, PO Box 344B, Marshall, MN 56258. Sgt. Pederson will not offer advise on specific situations or real events, which involve law enforcement.
