Living in Snow Country
SNOW REMOVAL REMINDER
Submitted by Lt. Pete Rittenger
With any luck (good or bad, depending on your perspective) the snow removal experts from the City will soon be hard at work clearing our streets of the white, fluffy stuff. Our crew’s ability to efficiently and thoroughly remove snow is often times affected by objects, such as vehicles, trailers and trash cans, left in the roadway during plowing operation hours. City Code requires that cars, trash cans, and other obstructions be kept out of the street and out of the way of City snow removal crews. Cars, trailers or other obstructions parked on City streets between 3:00 AM and 7:00 AM in violation of City Ordinance may be cited or towed.
Snow removal crews typically begin work at 4:00 am if there has been a recent snowfall, or at 7:00 am on other days. If more than 3” of snow falls in a storm, the crews begin their routes early. The Streets Superintendent monitors the weather, and calls in the crew early for plowing as needed. Crews work seven days a week, and the threshold on weekends is 4” of new snow. Crews work eight hours each day, or longer if their assigned routes cannot be completed in one standard shift. Please help our snow removal crews keep our streets clear of snow and ice by removing your vehicles and other objects from the roadway.
Visit the City of McCall website at www.mccall.id.us for more information regarding snow removal regulations.
Lt. Rittenger supervises investigations and patrol. He is a frustrated golfer in his spare time.
WINTER DRIVING EMERGENCY SURVIVAL TIPS
Submitted by Officer Jessica Bixby
Always Be Prepared
Living in areas prone to bad weather and winter storms has also taught me a tremendous respect for the elements. Snow can be enormous fun to play in but can create special hazards when we must drive in it. With a little forethought and preparation, we can brave the winter snow with confidence.
Even the Police get stuck once in a while |
Consider This...
On your way home, your car slides on an icy patch of road and you find yourself in a ditch, unable to maneuver out. You are stuck in the snow and find yourself stranded waiting for help to arrive. The wind is blowing at 25 mph and the temperature is 10 degrees. The wind chill is -24 degrees Fahrenheit. Frostbite and hypothermia can begin to occur in a very short time. Are you prepared?
With just a little time and effort on your part, you can tip the odds of survival significantly in your favor, should the elements turn on you and threaten the lives of you and your family members.
At the beginning of each winter, I like to prepare an Emergency Road Kit, which always travels with me. It takes up a little room but finding a container that will properly fit your vehicle's available space can make carrying around the added cargo as painless as possible.
YOUR WINTER EMERGENCY SURVIVAL KIT
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Blankets or Sleeping Bags
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Properly fitting Tire Chains
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Extra clothing
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Flashlight (with extra batteries)
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First Aid Kit
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Jumper Cables
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Safety Flares
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Snow scraper
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Wooden Matches
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Duct Tape
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Snack Food (high calorie, non-perishable)
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Drinking Water and/or Water Container
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Paper Towels
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Plastic Bags
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An empty can with cover and tissues for sanitary purposes
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Shovel (the folding ones are great)
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Sack of Sand (kitty litter, ice melt etc.) for traction
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Auto Emergency Tool Kit or Road Emergency Kit
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Compass Road Atlas
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Winter Gloves or even better Convertible Gloves
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Cellular Phone (for emergencies)
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Emergency Crank Radio
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| Note: You may find you have special needs requiring additional items, depending on your individual needs. |
ROAD SMART
Most highways today have a posted minimum speed of 55 mph, which is a safe traveling speed unless you are driving during a blinding blizzard. The minimum speed posted applies during normal road conditions. You will not be ticketed for driving slower during a winter storm. However, in slowing down, the life you save may be your own.
What makes the difference between an ordinary driver and a good one?
- An ordinary driver reacts to the road situations.
- A good driver anticipates crises and avoids them.
It pays to stay alert and aware of other drivers on the road. Allow extra braking room between you and the car ahead, to allow for sliding. Check your rearview mirror often for cars following too closely, who could "accidentally" hit you from behind. It is often possible to avoid being rear-ended if you stay alert and are aware of the possible danger.
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