TRI-CITIES, Wash. – The snow fell earlier, making for slick roads. Washington State Patrol Troopers say the weather around our area caused all these crashes. One of those crashes was a deadly one.
WSP Trooper Chris Thorson said that as busy as troopers were today, WSP anticipates roads could be even more dangerous in the coming days.
According to Trooper Thorson, WSP responded to 16 Tri-Cities crashes and 21, including Yakima and Walla Walla.
“A mass majority of them were people just driving too fast for the road conditions,” Thorson said.
According to Thorson, the worst area of the crashes was in south Tri-Cities near I-82 and 395,
“The number one thing we say is to slow down during these snowy conditions,” he said.
Robert Wirtzberger, one of the owners of the Defensive Driving School in Kennewick, said it’s best to take your time in these conditions.
“Leave early,” said Wirtzberger. “It’s what we tell all our students. Don’t be in a hurry to get anywhere. Leave early and that way you don’t have to be in a hurry.”
Wirtzberger said he teaches his students what he calls a “space cushion.” He said it’s a safe following distance behind a vehicle. However, if the roads are bad, increase that space.
“Depending on conditions of visibility or conditions of the road,” he said.
Trooper Thorson said to slow down if you’re driving over compact snow.
“On the city and county roads, you may be able to drive 15 to 20 miles per hour,” he said. “So that’s going to be your biggest factor in avoiding collisions on compact snow and ice.”
Thorson, like Wirtzberger, said to make sure to increase your following distance because it’s going to take you a lot longer to come to a stop in winter driving conditions.
