Cold Weather Driving Hazards
Winter is coming! At least according to the temperatures, it is! And Sgt. Eaton has tips for what to do to drive safe as the weather gets colder in this week’s #TrafficTipTuesday!
“Hello and welcome to a frigid edition of #traffictiptuesday. As I was out walking the dog this morning, in addition to numb fingers, foggy breath, and my bright red ears, I also noticed the frost on the ground. A quick check of the upcoming weather report showed temperatures in the 20’s throughout the coming week. This got me thinking about the dangers of driving in cold temperatures.
The most common cold weather driving hazard is black ice. This is a thin coating of ice on a road surface that is transparent and therefore nearly impossible to see. Black ice is so dangerous because most people are sliding on it before they even realize it is there. The best practice to stay safe would be to reduce your speed and avoid “wet” patches on the road. Wet roads often become icy roads when the temperature drops low enough.
Once I was finished complaining about my frozen extremities, I said ‘goodbye’ to the dog and got in my car. This is when I saw another cold weather driving hazard: a frosty windshield. It is so very important that you take the time to clear your windshield before driving away. This does NOT mean you should scrape away a small porthole through which to see. You should clear your windshield completely in order to ensure a full field of view while driving. In fact, failing to do so could result in a fine of $110 and 1 point on your driving record.
As the temperatures drop this week, keep an eye out for frost and try to stay warm.
As always, if you have a question or concern, please leave it in the comments below. Also, if you have a specific concern with unsafe driving in your area, such as speeding, drag racing, etc., give us a call, send an email, or reach out on social media. Until next week, slow down, pay attention, wear your seatbelt, and drive safely
HCSO Main Line – 410.838.6600
Northern Precinct – 410.692.7880
Southern Precinct – 410.612.1717
HCSO Traffic Unit – 443.409.3324
traffictiptuesday@harfordsheriff.org
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