FORT WAINWRIGHT, Alaska - A tragic accident occurred less than two miles from the Badger gate Monday claiming the life of a woman loved by her family and friends. Although the accident is under investigation, preliminary reports said a vehicle traveling southbound lost control on a shaded, icy spot in the road, crossed into the northbound lane, hitting the vehicle head-on.
Operating a vehicle in Interior Alaska is a challenge and is often understated. Once someone sits behind the wheel and turns the key a prudent driver should be ready for anything. Interior Alaska drivers experience road conditions at their worst. A mixture of snow and fluctuating temperatures, along with wind, affect the driving surface, triggering a melt-and-freeze making ruts, bumps and humps often causing the driver to lose his grip, sending him skidding out of control. "It requires time and a conscious effort to adjust to the lack of traction and the new driving style vital to cope with snow and ice," said Robert Tanner, United States Army Garrison Fort Wainwright Safety Office.
Many vehicles already visited the ditch earlier this week. Just because you were issued a license or have a big nasty four-wheel drive truck doesn't mean you know how to drive on ice. Unfortunately one of the things they don't test for is common sense.
When driving, don't answer the phone. On post it will get you a ticket. It is most likely something that can wait until you can safely find a place to pull over and concentrate on one thing at a time, and by all means don't text. You're not fooling anyone and it is so obvious when you're doing it if you're glancing at your lap when your eyes should be on the road. It is dangerous, people die, and you know it. So just don't -- ever. Pay attention to the vehicle you are operating. Quit glancing up and down at the stoplight because you will get in trouble. Put the darn thing down, leave your phone alone; end of story.
Alaska has a unique law where you can be cited for driving too fast for conditions. No matter what type of surface or situation, you are responsible to move, steer and stop that vehicle is a safe manner. If you are unable to do these things, perhaps you shouldn't drive in the winter.
"Driving in snow and ice requires an increase of three times the braking and following distances necessary for dry pavement," Tanner said.
In addition, your vehicle should be in good operating order with working headlights, taillights, windshield wipers, proper tires and decent brakes. There should not be pieces of the body, trim or bumper flapping in the wind and everything should be attached to the undercarriage so you're not clanking, dropping debris or spitting sparks as you travel down the road.
Always use extreme caution when coming to an intersection. These are some of the slickest spots on the road. The intersection is where many skid to a stop and then spin out to get moving again.
Whenever other drivers are involved, watch what you are doing, try to anticipate what everyone else is going to do and what you are going to do if you encounter someone who isn't a sensible driver like yourself. There are people who think when a light turns from green to yellow you are supposed to give it more gas, while others think it means slam on the brakes. These are the dweebs fish-tailing or sliding out of control through a red light. Do whatever you can to avoid these people. Watch for them every time you are out there and don't give them an opportunity to ruin your day.
Learn to stay in your lane. If you can't or don't want to stay in your lane, signal, make sure other cars around you are well aware of what you plan to do, then execute the operation with caution. Merging into traffic is another one of these often misinterpreted actions. It is the responsibility of the vehicle who wants to join the traffic flow to blend into the activity that's already taking place. It always requires a signal, but sometimes it's necessary to increase or decrease your speed to merge. The herd does not have to make accommodations for you to join. If someone can safely make it easier for you then so be it. This is another action that requires your full attention, patience and good sense.
Another avoidable road hazard this time of year is often caused by someone just being neighborly. Without the assistance of safety personnel, flares or warning lights, roadside assistance is another accident waiting to happen and is frequently fueled by a lack of good judgment. It's just like everything else written so far; just because you've got a big truck and a tow strap doesn't mean you have a license to ignore the rules of the road and put others in danger while you drag your buddy's truck out of the ditch. You don't have the credentials to drive down the opposite side of the road and take up an extra lane of traffic while you find something to hook to. You should only "be nice" when public safety is being protected.
There are awesome, highly trained individuals who know how to do this and do it safely.
Historically, after the first snowfall there are way too many incidents and accidents, and as someone who has been hitting these roads for more than three decades I feel qualified enough to share an opinion on the subject.
For more information on safe winter driving call the garrison Safety Office at 353-7079 or visit www.facebook.com/FortWainwrightSafety.
Social Sharing