There is a nice white blanket of snow covering many parts of South Dakota and the Midwest this weekend.
Some areas sow up to a foot of snow; Sioux Falls saw about six inches and like many cities is now in the process of clearing the roads.
The city street crews have been out all day working on the emergency routes and major roadways. They started clearing out some of the residential areas late Friday, but it will be a while before all of the roadways in Sioux Falls are cleared.
It's a good time to think about driving safely on all of the snow.
Sioux Falls saw more than 50 accidents during the snowfall on Thursday evening into Friday morning. The drivers out on the roadways all day will tell you even though the snow has stopped, the danger is still there.
"It's just a little more trickier than your average day," said Sioux Falls city bus driver Cheryl Kramer.
"On the main streets it's alright, as long as you aren't trying to stop on a dime, but the side streets, they're just plain nasty. Once you stop, you can't get started," said taxi cab driver Myron Ebright.
AAA travel says the most important safety precaution is just slowing down.
- Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don't try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
- Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning – nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.
- The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
- Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
"You've just got to be slow, got to take your time and try not to get in a rush cause if you try to get in a rush something always happens," said Ebright.
Unmarked intersections are also a place where drivers need to be extra cautious. Drivers should slow down when approaching an intersection and for oncoming traffic that may also have difficulty stopping.
"Watch for the guys on the side streets that can't stop either coming at you," said Ebright.
That kind of defensive driving becomes even more important on streets still covered in snow.
"Maybe you'll be driving and you'll see a car come up to a stop sign and you know he's going way too fast, slow down and be prepared," said Kramer.
Advice to keep in mind over the next few days as the street department won't have all of the snow removed until about noon on Sunday.
"Some of the streets with four or five inches of snow on them now—no plows have been on them, they're just plain slippery," said Ebright.
Sidewalks and other walkways may also be covered with snow which can hide a layer of ice underneath. It's a good reminder to slow down and be extra cautious whenever you leave the house the weekend.
