Missouri State Highway Patrol urges caution when driving in winter conditions

Columbia Public Works crews were out preparing the roads Saturday morning to keep drivers safe. Columbia Public Works said it has about 5,000 tons of salt stored for this season’s snowfall along with 25 snow plows.

Jefferson City Public Works said it has about 3,500 tons of salt and 23 snow plows.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol said winter weather affects driving conditions and traffic patterns.

Saturday, MoDOT’s website said all of the MoDOT roads in Mid-Missouri were in clear road condition. And the Missouri State Highway Patrol did not report any car accidents in Mid-Missouri.

The National Research Council says poor weather-related driving conditions are associated with 7,000 fatalities, 800,000 injuries and more than 1.5 million car crashes in the U.S. each year.

Highway patrol says plan ahead if you will be driving in winter conditions. Before you travel, they say make sure your vehicle is in good working condition and keep your gas tank at least half full. Also, keep an ice-scraper, tire chains, battery cables, blankets, a flashlight and a bag of sand or cat litter in your trunk for emergencies.

The highway patrol also says to remember under state law, if you are using your windshield wipers, your headlights must be turned on.

You can check MoDOT road conditions here.