Preparing your car for the next snowfall

Nearly 40 people have died from crashes on Missouri roads so far this year.

After this week’s snow storm, Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers in Troop F responded to 200 crashes in less than 24 hours.

Drivers or passengers were hurt in 12 out of those 200 crashes.

In those dangerous winter road conditions, Sgt. Scott White with the highway patrol said it is important to not only adjust your driving habits, but also prepare your car.

“You can’t predict when an emergency will occur,” Sgt. White said. “But by planning ahead it certainly helps keep you safe.”

First, check the tread on your tires.

“A car can hydroplane at 35 miles an hour on wet pavement, on snow and ice obviously much slower,” White said. “If your tires are in poor condition you’re more susceptible to actually lose control and end up in the median cables, sliding into another car.”

Second, turn on your headlights if you are using your windshield wipers.

“This isn’t necessarily for you, it’s so other drivers can see you,” White said. “And we’ve all seen that when a car doesn’t have their headlights on, you almost see them at the last second, especially if you’re pulling out on a roadway.”

And third, stock your car with emergency supplies.

“Having an emergency blanket if your car were to break down is very important on the side of the highway,You want to make sure you have a set of booster cables. These are really useful, especially when you know most of the time, if a battery’s gonna go dead, it’s gonna go dead when it’s cold outside.”

White also said to make sure to clear off your windshield completely. You could be breaking state law if snow or ice is blocking your vision while driving.