As the weather outside gets frightful, Signal Mountain Police Chief Boyd Veal is urging motorists to exercise judgment first and caution second.
“The first rule obviously is if you don’t have to get out, don’t,” he said. “People have to make that decision for themselves. What they think they have to get out for we may disagree with. We have no choice, but others do. We would ask that they exercise good judgment in going out.”
When driving in wintry weather, Veal advises maintaining a slow, steady speed and keeping braking to a minimum.
“Where most problems occur if you’re in snow or ice is when someone tries to brake, especially with many cars being front-wheel drive,” he said. “[Front-wheel drive cars] can go better, but it does nothing for stopping better.”
Another aspect in which newer cars – and the motorists accustomed to them – often fail is in turning on headlights, he added. While these cars’ headlights automatically turn themselves on, they do so based on a light sensor, which is not always triggered in inclement daytime conditions. And running lights, which remain on constantly, do not include a vehicle’s tail lights.