HANCOCK COUNTY — The first snowfall of the season hit the county on Monday, a reminder that winter weather is rapidly approaching.
As it turned out, the light wintry mix resulted in little more than wet pavement and a light dusting, but it gave public safety officials a chance to remind county residents to be prepared for the coming months.
“Mainly we’d like to remind everyone that this first snow is a good time to remember winter driving skills,” Hancock County Emergency Management public information officer Greg Duda said in an email to the Daily Reporter.
Duda noted winter conditions provide a special challenge.
“We need to remember to slow down and leave more braking room to the car in front of us,” Duda said. “We transition to it every year, and this event would be a good time to remember driving tips for wet, snow, or icy conditions.”
Capt. Robert Harris, public information officer for the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, said the sheriff’s department anticipated an increased number of crashes with the first snowfall of the year.
Harris the first snow of the season is also a good occasion be sure your vehicle has a complete emergency kit.
Kits include items like an ice scraper, blanket, gloves, flashlight, road flares or triangles and jumper cables.
People should also minimize the time they let their vehicles run to warm up before driving. If they do leave a vehicle unattended while it warms up, the doors should be locked to prevent theft.
Duda said drivers need to adjust their speed to account for lower traction when driving on snow, ice or wet pavement. It’s best to accelerate and decelerate slowly — applying the gas a little bit at a time to regain traction and avoid skids. And remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy and snow-covered roads.
Drivers are also reminded to increase following distance to five seconds. The increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed to stop quickly.
“We also like to remind everyone when to use 911 and when to use the non-emergency line,” Duda said. Fender-bender accidents like those that happen frequently in the winter, for example, do not require a 911 call to summon help.
Officials are also encouraging county residents to check agencies’ social media pages — the county’s 911 center is a good place to start — for local information and to sign up for traffic alerts Smart911.com. It’s a free service for all Hancock County residents. Dispatchers and EMA will be using it this winter to alert drivers of road closures, traffic accidents, and special weather announcements.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center, Indiana’s winter is expected to be wetter than normal. NOAA’s outlook, released in October, calls for temperatures to remain roughly normal.
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If you are involved in a car crash with no injuries, or slide off the road, or have broken down with no injuries, call 317-477-4400 or text 911.
If you are involved in a car crash with injuries, are having a medical emergency, or witness a serious crash, call 911 immediately.
Source: Hancock County Emergency Management.
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