By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
As the first snow of the winter fell overnight, the Missouri Highway Patrol wants drivers to be aware of how to handle driving on the covered roads.
Seargent Shane Hux with Troop H in St. Joseph says one of the most important steps before you hit the road, is to make sure your entire vehicle is clear of snow.
"Make sure your windshield's clear, all of your windows, people can see your brake lights, your headlights, things like that to make yourself visible and also so you can see as well," Hux tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post.
Hux says troopers however will see a large number of vehicles only cleared off just enough for the driver to see where they are going and with head and brake lights still covered up
"People still may be able to see that vehicle during the daytime but at nighttime they cannot, as well as not being able to see the road in front of you for that driver," Hux says.
When out on the road, Hux says, drivers should make sure to decrease their speed and be sure to not use cruise control if the roads are slick.
With the winter weather arriving snow plows will soon be out in full force clearing and treating the roads for drivers.
Hux says many accidents with snowplows happen due to rear end crashes
"A little bit of snow on the ground on the roadways, even if there's a light wind, it's going to be blowing around and when they're plowing snow it's going to be blowing around which could cause a white out condition," Hux explains. "Give yourself plenty of distance behind those trucks, let them do their job and clear the roadway off safely for all the other vehicle traffic out there."
Hux says while it is common practice to follow snowplows while they are clearing the roads, practice safety while passing them but never attempt to pass a snowplow on a two-lane highway.
Hux says drivers should be aware with the cold conditions of melted ice refreezing.
Hux says most instances of refreezing happen on bridges and with the colder temperatures drivers should make sure to not use their cruise control, especially crossing bridges.
"Whenever they come up on an incline and they're vehicle shifts with that cruise control on it causes the vehicle to accelerate and spin out of control on those roadways," Hux points out. "So, do not use your cruise control if you travel across a bridge or if you think it might be freezing outside, drive less than the speed limit, watch your speed."
Hux says drivers should also drive at a safe following distance to avoid sliding into the rear end of other cars and snow plows on the roadways.