Cops to drivers: Slow down and wait for your snow legs

You'd think after enduring winter after winter of misery on wheels, we'd all qualify as bad-weather driving professionals.

But the first serious snowfall of the year Tuesday brought enough fender-benders and serious crashes to scuttle that theory.

Is it that people repress memories of last year's blizzards and can't remember how to drive in snow? Or do we just go too fast for conditions?

"It's a combination of both," Illinois State Police Sgt. Jim Jenkner said. "People should slow down and allow enough time for the trip, especially when you know we'll have inclement weather."

Lombard Deputy Police Chief Dane Cuny sees it as a matter of conditioning.

"It seems for the first couple of snowstorms, it takes a while for people to get their snow legs. Many people don't allow enough time to come to a stop before joining the car in front of them," Cuny said.

The basic problem is, "we all forget how to drive on wet and snowy roadways," Wheeling Traffic Officer Chris Parr said.

"You really need to pay attention and look ahead three times the distance you would on dry pavement. Don't be overconfident and try to out-drive the conditions."

And now would be a good time to break the habit of yakking on a cell phone while at the wheel, said Jenkner, the Illinois tollway's safety education officer.

"Our biggest concerns are speed and distractions," he said. In addition to motorists texting and using cell phones, state police have seen people eat breakfast, fix their hair and shave in the car, Jenkner explained.

Here are some expert tips to keep safe during bad weather.

• Leave plenty of room for stopping in case traffic ahead backs up unexpectedly.

• Give yourself extra time to reach your destination.

• Train young drivers to handle snowy and icy conditions.

• Clear snow off your vehicle or it could blow off on others, creating a dangerous distraction. Make sure both back and front lights are visible.

• Remember that trucks are heavier than cars and take longer to stop - don't pull out right in front of them.

• If you get stuck, don't spin your wheels, which could dig the car deeper. Instead, with the brake on, rotate the steering wheel side-to-side to push away snow. Then, try to gently accelerate out. If all else fails, carry a shovel in your car to remove snow from around the wheels, or call a tow truck.

• Slow down when approaching bridges, overpasses and ramps, because they usually freeze first and are more likely to have black ice.

"Most importantly, don't overestimate what your vehicle can do," Parr said. "Four-wheel drive is not four-wheel stop."

Snow and blustery winds are expected Wednesday with a high of 33 degrees and low of 4 degrees.

Officials with the Chicago Department of Aviation reported delays Tuesday and advised travelers to call their airlines or check online for any departure changes Wednesday.