State Troopers Take WCCO On Their Winter Driving Course
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- After a deadly weekend, the Minnesota State Patrol is offering reminders for driving on winter roads.
"It's about a week transition from summer months into the cold weather driving," said Sgt. Ruben Marichalar. "Unfortunately, Mother Nature was not that nice to us this year."
Six people were killed in car accidents on icy roads this past weekend. Saturday marked the deadliest day on Minnesota roads since July 4.
Troopers demonstrated winter driving skills on their "skid pad" at Camp Ripley's Emergency Vehicle Operations Course.
"This road surface here is pretty much all ice," said Sgt. Neil Dickenson. "If I panic here and try to turn, it will turn but I've lost total control of the vehicle at that point."
Troopers recommend a few things to help Minnesotans get home safely this season.
"If they're driving in a slippery road surface like this, reduce your speed and increase your following distance as much as you can," Dickenson said.
With ice on the roads, a little movement goes a long way.
"If you put too much input into your car, you tend to what we call 'over-steer,'" Marichalar said. "And you end up in a ditch or you end up fishtailing from one side to the other."
Marichalar says to keep your eyes focused on where you want to go and steer into the skid.
"Don't look into the ditch because eventually where your eyes go, your body will follow," he said.
Dickenson says if you have anti-lock brakes, don't pump them.
"If you need to apply the brakes hard, stay on them and avoid the turning," Dickenson said.
Most importantly, troopers say drivers need to steer clear of distractions and always wear a seat belt.
