CHP Offers Winter Driving Advice

CHP Officer and Spokesperson Tom Wills was Thursday’s KVML Newsmaker of the Day.

Carelessness and lack of preparation are two of the main causes of accidents in inclement weather.

Hydroplaning may have contributed to a weekend accident on Mountain Ranch Road that cost three lives over the weekend. Hydroplaning happens when vehicle tires spin on standing water causing a driver to lose control of the vehicle.

Wills says many accidents could be avoided if people would simply drive at a much slower pace during wet and icy weather.

Wills adds that all motorists should carry chains, leave early for work, school or appointments, travel as many main routes as possible, keep your headlights on and forget about using a cell phone in difficult driving conditions.

Wills cites Phoenix Lake Rd., Morris Grade and Buckhorn Mountain Grade on Tuolumne Rd. and Kewin Mill Rd. in the Big Hill area as traditional trouble spots during snowy-ice weather.

The Newsmaker of the Day can be heard each weekday morning at 6:47, 7:47 and 8:47 on AM-1450 KVML.

Written by mark@mlode.com