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| JESSICA MERRIFIELD / Scroll |
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Icy, snow-filled roads mean driving woes. Skidding through an intersection, sliding on black ice and fish-tailing down a street are not uncommon
occurrences during Rexburg winters. |
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Don’t blame the snow — just learn to work with it.
That’s the message for motorists and pedestrians in Rexburg this winter. With snow and ice, roads become more hazardous for drivers and walkers alike.
“Our accidents go out of sight in the winter,” said Captain Randy Lewis of the Rexburg Police Department.
One of the busiest roads in Rexburg, 2nd East, is also one of the most hazardous. “All of the intersections along 2nd East are dangerous when they’re slick,” said Lewis, who also identified the curve at the west end of 4th South, near Frontier Pies, as hazardous for drivers.
“Anywhere around the edge of campus is a potential danger for students,” said Ed May, a Rexburg resident for 13 years.
The intersection by the Oscar A. Kirkham Building at the northeast corner of campus is a danger spot for drivers and pedestrians.
Those trying to cross 2nd South or turn onto it have their vision obstructed to the west by cars parked on the roadside, and to the east by the small hill which westbound cars often descend too quickly. Snow and ice on the road only complicate the situation.
Better lighting at the intersection of 2nd West and 3rd South in front of Taco Time would help prevent accidents, said Ben Wagers, a freshman from Mollusk, Va., who was hit by a car four weeks ago while crossing in the crosswalk.
“[That is] one of the worst intersections as far as visibility,” said Lewis. “It’s very hazardous.”
Just down from Taco Time, the intersection of 4th South and 2nd West has historically been dangerous for motorists, but with the recently constructed roundabout, the city anticipates having fewer problems, said Lewis.
The city of Rexburg does undertake some measures to lessen winter driving hazards, such as plowing the roads. For that reason, overnight parking is not allowed on Rexburg streets from November to March.
Although they can’t possibly sand all of the roads all winter, the city does sand the most critical areas, said Lewis. In extreme circumstances, the city blocks off roads which present a high degree of danger.
Lewis also identified some things that drivers can do to lessen wintertime hazards. “Slow down — most accidents are caused by [high] speed. Plan ahead and pay attention to the weather.”
Equipment problems with tires, brakes and windshields also cause accidents, said Lewis. “Make sure your car is in mechanically safe condition.”
“Be observant,” suggests May. “Drive defensively and walk defensively. It wouldn’t hurt for pedestrians to carry a flashlight and wear light-colored clothing at night.”
“Zero accidents” is the safety motto at Idaho National Laboratory, where May works. Perhaps it would be a good one for wintertime Rexburg.
