Winter driving conditions are here
Safety key theme at last week’s Traffic Safety Commission meeting
By Larry Meyer
Argus Observer
Sunday, November 15, 2009 9:58 PM PST
ONTARIO — It may seem early, but winter driving conditions are already upon us after an early November squall dropped down along Interstate 84 Thursday and Friday.
Black ice conditions Friday contributed to accidents in the Burnt River Canyon and around Baker City.
So Oregon Department of Transportation and law enforcement officials are putting out the word that people need to drive according to conditions on the road, and locally, the effort to educate the public on winter driving woes began at the Malheur County Traffic Safety Commission meeting Thursday at the Plaza Inn.
According to a brochure issued by ODOT, motorists should follow the instructions on signs posted in snow zone areas that let people know the requirements for traction tires or chains. Motorists must be carrying chairs or have traction tires on their vehicles, of the right size and of sufficient number to comply with minimum requirements.
Chains should be used when:
— A vehicle is rated 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight or less and towing.
— When a single-axle vehicle is rated more than 10,000 pounds GVW. Chains must also be used on a unit being towed.
ODOT’s maintenance section has just received a new deicer truck. Chuck Schaffeld, ODOT maintenance, said motorists should use caution when they come up behind a deicing truck and not be quick to pass.
ODOT drivers will get them by as soon as possible. ODOT is using a new formula this year, which could cause motorists problems if it gets on their windshields, Schaffeld said. Motorists should wash their cars more often, he added.
Oregon does not allow the use of salt on its highways, so they will not be as clean as those in neighboring states, Tom Davis, ODOT maintenance and chairperson for the Traffic Safety Commission said.
“Deicer is used in problem areas — inclines, declines and curves,” he said. “Remember to drive to weather conditions.”
Driver training classes will return to local schools next year with the help of Union-Baker Education Service District, Dave Stiefvater, traffic safety coordinator, announced at Thursday’s meeting, introducing Mark Saito as one the instructors.
Classes will start Jan. 5 in Vale and Jan. 7 in Nyssa, Saito said. There will be a meeting for parents Dec. 14 in Nyssa, he added.
