Shoshone County officials give tips for staying safe on winter roads
If you're traveling this week, take your time. Don't end up like this vehicle. Traveling the mountain passes of Idaho can be treacherous, even when the roads appear to be just wet.
File photo
Shoshone County Sheriff Holly Lindsey has seen too many accidents over the holidays throughout her career in law enforcement. Along with the drivers and their passengers, responding to these accidents can be hazardous for law enforcement and first responders.
“I think the biggest thing to remember when experiencing winter driving conditions is to take your time,” Lindsey said. “Ensure you give yourself plenty of time to get where you are going. Maybe leave earlier, or if all else fails, give yourself permission to be a little late."
The busiest travel season of the year is days away and local officials hope that everyone stays safe during the holidays.
For the most part, the weather throughout North Idaho is expected to be cold and wet but very manageable through Christmas. However, when navigating remote areas like Lookout or Fourth of July Pass, cold and wet can be just as dangerous as snowy when the temperatures begin to drop and black ice builds up.
Shoshone County Emergency Manager Dan Martinsen recommends that people go back to basics.
“Take your time, keep that two-car-length space between you and other vehicles, add weight to your vehicles to help with traction, give yourself time to stop, those are all things that people can do that will make traveling a lot safer," Martinsen said.
Being prepared means keeping an emergency winter driving kit in your car. The kit should include flashlights with extra batteries, a first-aid kit with a pocketknife, at least one blanket, an extra set of mittens, socks and a warm cap, a small sack of sand or cat litter for generating traction under the wheels, a small shovel, bottled water, booster cables, canned fruit, nuts and a non-electric can opener.
The Idaho 511 travel information app has constant updates on things like road conditions, speed changes, construction reports, accident reports, mountain passes, as well as providing drivers cameras to see what the actual roads look like.
Info itd.idaho.gov