GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — You see police at crash scenes, but they're rarely involved in the collisions even though they have to drive in the bad conditions they tell you to avoid.
The tools they use to stay safe could help you on the roads.
"Winter driving is all about grip and not losing your grip," Kent County Sheriff’s Department Sgt. Joel Roon told 24 Hour News 8 Tuesday, the same day multicar crashes cropped up all over West Michigan highways amid blowing lake-effect snow.
When it comes to avoiding crashes, deputies rely on their training. One of their keywords: gradual.
"Gradual acceleration, braking and steering," Roon explained. "If you give yourself an increased following distance, give yourself extra cushion to slow down, it allows you the ability to now give gradual steering input. You’re not going to panic and jerk the wheel. You’re not going to slam on the brakes because you don't need to. You have that extra cushion.”
He also said you shouldn't be in such a hurry to get where you're going, especially in poor road conditions.