Winter weather causes 15 accidents

Cars travel south as they approach the intersection of U.S. Highway 69 and Third Street Tuesday afternoon. Although the road has been mostly cleared of snow, motorists are encouraged to continue to drive with caution.(Michael Pommier/Tribune)

Snow does not always equal a winter wonderland, especially when it comes to driving.

According to the Fort Scott Police Department, officers responded to 15 accidents from Monday morning to Tuesday afternoon that were a result of poor road conditions. With the snow accumulation over the last two days, many drivers are encouraged to take precaution when hitting the road.

According to the FSPD and the Bourbon County Sheriff's Office, none of the accidents caused any serious injuries.

The Kansas Highway Patrol offers the following tips for keeping safe on the roadways during wintry weather:

* Prepare your vehicle for winter travel by replacing your wiper blades, ensuring your tires have good tread, and checking your vehicle's fluids, exhaust system, and other mechanical equipment.

* Clean frost and snow off all windows, mirrors, and lights, and use your headlights for visibility.

* Accelerate and brake gently, and increase your following distance between you and other vehicles in adverse weather.

* Steer in the direction you want to go if your vehicle loses traction and begins to slide.

* Allow for more time when traveling to and from work, home, school, or other activities.

* Always wear your seat belt and properly secure children in the appropriate safety seats.

* Do not use cruise control when you are traveling in wet or snowy conditions.

* If you're involved in a non-injury crash that involves non-hazardous materials, if it is safe to do so, move your vehicle out of the lane of traffic to protect yourself as well as other motorists.

Prior to making any trips during winter weather, the Kansas Department of Transportation encourages motorists to visit the KanDrive website, www.kandrive.org. The website is KDOT's informational site which provides information such as road conditions, closures, work zones, and weather information to motorists.

KDOT also encourages all motorists to keep a mini survival kit in the vehicle in case of an accident. The kit should include: cellular phone, red flag, fuses or flares, matches or lighter, flashlight, candles, ice scraper, shovel, sand or cat litter, traction mats, tow rope or chain, jumper cables, extra winter clothing, blankets, non-perishable food, can opener, first aid kit, and metal coffee cans.

For information on conditions for all Kansas highways, visit www.kandrive.org or call 511 or (866) 511-KDOT (5368). If stranded on an interstate, U.S. or Kansas highway, motorists can call *47 from a mobile phone. If stranded on the Kansas Turnpike, drivers can call *KAT (582). According to KDOT, these numbers can be used to report an emergency, accident, vehicle breakdown, erratic driver, or criminal activity.