911 director: As temps drop, so should speeds

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Wednesday morning brought snowfall to North Central West Virginia, leaving slick roads for motorists during their morning commute.

“We had one in the median on the interstate, but it was not a fun-filled morning,” said Harrison/Taylor 911 Director Paul Bump.

The most important thing to remember when driving in winter months, Bump said, is to watch the bridges.

“Number one, you can’t see it when it’s iced over, unless there’s a car spinning out in front of you,” he said. “That’s where we get most of our issues — bridges, and when you get into secluded curves and what not where the air stays a little colder.”

Bump said those areas are easier to monitor with today’s technology.

“Most cars today have thermometers so you can see the outside temp. Pay attention to that,” he said. “When it gets down close to freezing, there might be some secluded areas where the ground’s a little colder than what the air temperature is. When it gets to 33, 32, 31, you need to start paying more attention to what’s going on around you.”

And, of course, slow down, Bump added.

“Slow down and be ready,” Bump said. “When that skid hits, don’t be sitting there jamming to the latest whatever song on the radio and not paying attention to what’s going on around on. You need to pay attention to driving, and certainly don’t text.”

Bump said, while deer are still a danger to motorists, that deer shouldn’t still be as much of a problem now that the breeding season is over.

“What you tend to notice at the beginning of breeding season is that the deer are not paying attention to what’s going on around them at all. They’ve got one thing on their mind, so you tend to see them darting out more,” Bump said. “But a lot now, with hunting season since there’s been a little bit of thining going on there’s not as much chasing through the woods going on, so you’re probably going to see less of that.”

Bottom line, Bump said, just proceed with caution.

“You know where the problem spots are,” he said. “You know when you get to the bridge at the Marion/Mon line, somebody’s going to do something stupid there. Pay attention and slow down. Don’t be in a hurry.”





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