The weather is beginning to change across Alaska, the nights are beginning to get longer, and the snow will soon begin to fly. Alaska State Troopers urge residents across the Kenai Peninsula that safety needs to be at the forefront of your mind as you drive in fall and winter weather.
Trooper Ethan Norwood from the Soldotna Post of the Alaska State Troopers told KSRM that reflective clothing is needed when pedestrians and bikers are out and about:
“First off, I would encourage the use of reflective clothing and reflective helmets if people are on bicycles or other equipment. Also taking advantage of bike paths and other areas just to create distance away from the roadway. Also, for drivers just try to be as careful and attentive to the road as you can. The more caution that people can exercise, the safer the roads are going to be for everyone, including cyclists.”
Norwood said some road safety tips to remember include:
“The biggest one that’s the most important is speed. We’re starting to see ice on the roads already and the speed limit’s there for a reason. Sometimes it’s real easy to realize you’re in trouble after you’ve already put yourself in a bad situation. Then, just paying attention to the road, not texting or operating a screen device while you’re driving.”
When the snow starts to fly, the trip from the Kenai Peninsula to Anchorage can get a bit dangerous. Norwood urges you to prep your vehicle’s safety kit:
“Thinking about worst case scenarios – you break down in a situation where you’re without cell service – if it’s at a time where there’s not a lot of travelers on the road to have a go bag with emergency medical kit, a blanket, to bring some water, and a small amount of food to keep you sustained through the night if you have to, that’s what I always try to keep in mind is how am I going to have enough to get through the night if I have to.”
Alaska State Troopers advise drivers, in the transition from summer to winter driving, to slow down earlier, keep your eyes on the road, use your headlights when you need to and be thinking about what’s around the corner.