• 15
  • November
    2011

It's official: winter weather has hit Boise. And with the perennial appearance of snow, drivers are reminded to use caution on snowy, icy roads to avoid hitting other cars and pedestrians.

NWCN news reports that, with just a light dusting of snow during the first weekend of November, several car accidents and one fatal crash were reported in Boise. In one tragic weather-related accident, a five-months pregnant woman lost her baby when her SUV crashed into a guardrail after losing traction on ice on Interstate 84.

Idaho State Police (ISP) and car accident attorneys in Boise are reminding people to drive safely in wintry conditions. The ISP urges drivers to wear their seatbelts, slow down, and be mindful of the road conditions. Particularly late at night or early in the morning, drivers should be aware of the risk of black ice - since it is not visible, ISP Trooper Blake Higley said, "you need to assume it's there."

Drivers should make sure they have snow-removal devices like ice scrapers in their cars so they are able to see clearly when driving. Also, some drivers could benefit from putting snow tires on their cars.

In addition, the ISP warns that interstate overpasses are especially dangerous in winter, stating that drivers should be extra cautious when accelerating to get to an on-ramp or when merging, NWCN reported.

To help prevent weather-related car accidents in Boise and throughout Idaho, the Idaho Transportation Department's winter maintenance schedule begins in November. During the winter schedule, IDT employees work two shifts to make sure workers are always available for sanding and snow removal. With everyone's combined efforts, hopefully people will be able to stay safe and avoid car accidents on Boise's roads this winter.

Source: NWCN, "With Wintry Conditions, ISP Warning Drivers to Be Careful," Andrea Lutz, Nov. 6, 2011.