Ready or not, here comes winter weather

We knew it would have to end one of these days.

While a light coat has been sufficient for attending many of this season's high school football games, that won't be the case for Thursday night's games, the last regular games of the season.

If the forecast is right, the season's first snow has a good chance of disrupting the schedule completely.

If the games do take place as scheduled, a lot of fans will be on a tight schedule trying to make it in time for the kickoff while traveling over the first slippery roads of the season.

The approaching storm made it just in time for Hazardous Tri-State Winter Weather Preparedness Week, conducted by the Goodland, Kan., office of the National Weather Service.

The Nebraska Department of Roads also issued winter weather reminders just in time for the first blizzard warnings of the year.

The main thing most of us forget from one winter season to the next is speed. Take it slow -- surfaces get slippery when they get wet. Drive well below the posted speed limit and leave plenty of room between vehicles.

And don't trust your eyes. Roads that seem dry may actually be slippery and dangerous. That's especially important when you approach intersections, off-ramps, bridges or shady areas -- all prime spots for "black ice."

And make it easier for snowplow operators to do their job. Give them plenty of room to work. Don't tailgate them and try not to pass. If you have to pass, watch out for the blowing snow cloud.

Don't assume the snowplow driver -- or any other driver, for that matter -- can see you. Keep your distance and watch for sudden stops or turns.

Other general tips:

* Brake -- Brake early, brake slowly, brake correctly and never slam on the brakes. If you have anti-lock brakes -- most newer cars do -- press the pedal down firmly and hold it. If you don't have anti-lock brakes, gently pump the pedal. Either way, give yourself plenty of room to stop.

* Cruise control -- When driving on ice and snow, do not use the cruise control. Avoid abrupt steering maneuvers. When merging into traffic, take it slow. Sudden movements can cause your vehicle to slide and you will lose control.

* Vision -- Be aware of what's going on well ahead of you. Actions by other vehicles will alert you to problems more quickly and give you that split-second of extra time to react safely.

* Knowledge -- before leaving home, find out about the driving conditions. Safe drivers know the weather and their limits. If the weather is bad, remember, "If it's snowing, should you be going?" Check out weather sites like the link on the top right side of the Gazette's Web site, http://mccoookgazette.com, or call 511 for Nebraska road conditions.

* Clear -- Remove any snow on your vehicle's windows, lights, brake lights and signals. Make sure you can see and be seen.

* Inspect -- Check your vehicle's tires, wiper blades, fluids, lights, belts and hoses. A breakdown is bad on a good day and dangerous on a bad-weather day.

* Time -- Leave plenty of time to reach your destination safely. It's not worth putting yourself and others in a dangerous situation just to be on time.