Navigating Winter Roads: Tips to Stay Safe While Driving in the Snow

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) – As temperatures drop and snow becomes a possibility in the higher elevations, it’s crucial to review safe driving practices for winter weather conditions.

One key step is to check your tires. As John Dice, the general manager of Heuton Tire Company in Grand Junction, explains:

“If you’re in Silverton and it snows like a son of a gun there, a lot of times you’re going to get one to two foot of snow. And I don’t care if you have snow tires, unless you have a four wheel drive with good mud tires or something like that, just stay there.”

In addition to proper tires, it’s also recommended to keep a safety bag in your vehicle with essential supplies:

“Have a safety bag with you,” said Trooper Gabriel Moltrer with the Colorado State Patrol. “Have some triangles that you may be able to put on your car if you get stuck in a snowbank… Bring blankets, extra clothes, water, non perishable food items, whether that be chips or anything of that type of nature, just so that way you have those on hand in case you are in that predicament.”

The Most Important Tip: Slow Down

Both Dice and Trooper Moltrer stressed that the single most important thing drivers can do is to slow down when navigating snowy or icy roads.

“If you’re aware, and you’re safe, that’s all you can do to make sure you get home, and those around you get home.”

By being prepared, staying alert, and adjusting your speed accordingly, you can help ensure a safe journey, even in the most challenging winter driving conditions.