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Winter arrives early

Posted 11/18/22

Sullivan County got its first taste of winter weather this week. While the official first day of winter is not until next month on December 21, commuters were greeted with some winter weather …

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Winter arrives early

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Sullivan County got its first taste of winter weather this week. While the official first day of winter is not until next month on December 21, commuters were greeted with some winter weather conditions on their drive home Tuesday evening. While there’s many great and enjoyable things the winter season brings, driving in hazardous conditions is not one of them.

Driving in winter weather can be challenging for even the most experienced motorists. After many months of warm weather, it can be easy to forget about the precautions that even small amounts of snow and ice demand.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, over 1,300 people are killed and more than 116,800 people are injured in vehicle crashes on snowy, slushy or icy pavement annually. It’s important to exercise caution and plan ahead to avoid becoming one of the statistics. 

Regular vehicle maintenance can help you ensure safe driving all year long. It’s especially important to pay close attention to your vehicle’s battery, wipers, tires and other systems that can be affected when temperatures drop below freezing. Snow tires are a good thing to have in upstate New York and it’s important to clear your car of snow and ice from the windows, forward sensors, headlights, tail lights and backup cameras.

It’s good to give yourself more time than usual to get places as it’s important to decrease your speed on icy or snow-covered roads. Remember to increase your follow distance behind other vehicles so that you’ll have extra time to stop if necessary. 

It’s also helpful to have emergency supplies in your vehicle in the event of an accident or breakdown. In rural areas like ours, help is not always right around the corner. It’s important to be prepared. Items such as blankets, flashlights, jumper cables and roadside flares could be useful. Even if you don’t need them, you might encounter another motorist who requires assistance.

So as we get ready to enjoy the winter season, remember to take the proper precautions so we can all travel safely. 

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