Missouri Highway Patrol offers winter weather driving tips

Following several accidents in the area due to the winter weather conditions, Missouri State Highway Patrol officials remind individuals to slow their vehicle speeds.

Sgt. Dennis Rainey, of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, noted that the department had already worked several "slide-offs" by 10 a.m., on Monday, due to the winter weather.

He noted that the main points to remember when driving under winter weather conditions were for individuals to pay attention to their surroundings and reduce their traveling speeds.

Rainey explained that drivers should also maintain an extra distance between their own vehicle and the vehicles traveling in front of them.

"We usually recommend a two second following distance for reaction time, but in this type of weather it should be lengthened," Rainey said.

He added that drivers needed to be cautious at stop signs and intersections during the weather and begin to slow down early when approaching these areas.

"As temperatures drop, the roads will become slick and cars will start sliding," Rainey said. "Slow is the word."

He noted that, if individuals did not need to be out traveling, the drivers should attempt to stay off of the roads.

When referring to the accidents occurring on Monday, Rainey explained that they were all related to the weather, but also caused by people driving too fast.

He added that his department had not had an injury accident as of 10 a.m., Monday, and that all of the accident had been personal property.