"The Rodes of Winter"

I was driving straight down the road and then I was not. An icy black patch and my car lost control…

The roads of winter will soon be upon us. Everyone knows that driving is a responsibility and that responsibility changes with the seasons. Take the time to remember that driving on winter roads is not the same as cruising down a hot summer highway to the shore. The winter roads will be covered with snow and ice that is not always so easily spotted.

Cars today are commonly equipped with anti-locks brakes that provide a false sense of security. It still takes longer to stop on winter roads. If you look up the definition online, it will tell you…

“Anti-lock brakes generally offer improved vehicle control and decrease stopping distance on dry and slippery surfaces. However, on loose surfaces like gravel or snow-covered pavement, anti-lock brakes can significantly increase braking distance, although still improve vehicle control.”

Take the time to pay more attention to the road sign alerts…slow down…road conditions poor…

Let the state clear the roads. Don’t make the trip to the mall because you know there will be shorter lines at the registers. Stay off the roads when instructed unless your job requires it because the extra seconds that those heavy machines do not have to spend moving around your car will quickly add up to minutes. Those minutes that lumps of sand can cover another icy patch could make the difference to your family, friend or neighbor one day when they are just driving straight down the road...