More than 200 crashes — 56 of them involving injuries — were reported Tuesday alone in icy Carson City.
Snow is possible again this weekend, and the Nevada Department of Transportation and Highway Patrol are reminding drivers how to avoid collisions and sliding off the road.
“Many of these crashes were caused by speeding or following too closely to other vehicles,” NHP Trooper Dan Lopez said in a news release. “In any kind of snow or ice, drivers need to slow for conditions.”
Drivers are reminded to leave extra space between their vehicles and others, and to turn off cruise control in wet winter conditions.
For updated state road conditions, call 511 or go to www.nvroads.com. Following are some of the winter-driving safety tips listed at available atnevadadot.com/winter.
Only travel in winter weather when necessary, leave enough time to safely reach your destination and plan your route to avoid snowy/icy areas and steep hills
Share your travel itinerary so others know when to expect you
Remove snow and ice from all vehicle windows, mirrors, lights, turn signals and license plates
Turn on headlights to see and be seen
Avoid quick starts, stops and fast turns. Accelerate, brake and steer smoothly and gradually
Reduce speed. Speed limits are based on normal road and weather conditions, not winter road conditions
Do not slam on brakes. Apply steady pressure on ABS-equipped vehicles and pump the brakes if necessary on non-ABS vehicles
Keep additional distance from other vehicles
Use extra caution on bridges, ramps, overpasses and shaded areas; they may freeze first
Maintain a high fuel level
If vehicle begins to skid, steer in the direction of the slide and slowly remove foot from accelerator
If you’re parked or stuck in snow, leave the window slightly cracked for ventilation and make sure vehicle exhaust system is clear of snow
Remember that four-wheel-drive vehicles cannot necessarily turn or stop any better than two-wheel-drive vehicles
Carry tire chains / tow strap, flashlight, spare batteries, ice scraper, cellphone, snow shovel, flares, jumper cables, a small bag of sand for wheel traction, extra winter clothes, blanket or sleeping bag, nonperishable foods and water, first aid supplies and prescription medication, battery-operated radio, candles/matches or lighter, and a map for navigation in the event of a winter detour
