Officials remind drivers of responsibility during winter weather

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop F is reminding Mid-Missouri drivers of their responsibility to be alert, drive slowly, and keeping distance between themselves and other vehicles during winter weather.

A spokesman for Troop F, Cpl. Kyle Green, said if someone is planning on traveling when there is snow on the roads, they need to first clean off their car.

"Not only the windshield and windows but also on top of it. People forget when they pick up speed that snow will fly off in big chunks and damage the vehicles behind them or cause another crash," Green said.

Other safety precautions like wearing a seat belt and allowing for plenty of time to get to their destination are common reasons for crashes during winter weather, Green said.

The spokesman included 90% of the crashes that happened on Wednesday were all speed-related.

"People were driving the normal speed they would if it were sunny and 70 degrees outside and they are hitting curves or edges of the roadway, over correcting and sliding off," Green said.

Since about 7 a.m. Wednesday morning, troopers responded to around 100 calls for crashes and slide-offs.

Jay MacLellan, the director of public relations for Shelter Insurance, said he recommends drivers pay attention to road conditions to avoid the need to make a claim.

"Try to go slower and make sure you keep a distance between other vehicles and generally be a defensive driver," MacLellan said.

On Wednesday, MacLellan said Shelter Insurance received a typical number of claims because of the fact that more people are still working from home during the pandemic.

Green said people forget how to drive in winter weather conditions when there has been a long period of time in between snowstorms.

"This happens every year, the first snowstorm that hits that leaves snow on the road brings traffic problems it takes a while to remind people they need to slow down, and increasing following distance.