Community Corner

Crestwood, Sunset Hills Reminds Motorists of Winter Driving Precautions

This winter season, owners will be required to park their vehicles in a driveway or on the side of the street with odd house numbers.

The first snow of the 2012 winter season has fallen upon us. With this in mind, it’s important to be reminded of safe driving precautions.

As we’ve already seen with a number of road closings and accidents this morning, it is important to prepare your vehicle before the snow hits. Even, if it’s just a storm warning, it’s better to anticipate problems early.

1. Check your vehicles’ washer fluid and antifreeze. Test wiper blades; they should be able to clear your windshield of snow, rain, sand and salt.

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2. Be sure that your car has plenty of gas to get you safely to your destination or to a gas station to re-fuel.

3. If possible, stay home, or keep travel to a minimum. If you do drive, anticipate delays, especially during the rush-hour commute. Before you go out on the roads, clear snow and ice from your vehicle, including your taillights, headlights and roof.

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4. As always, buckle up for safety.

5. Allow extra space between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you to allow extra distance for stopping. Watch for black ice and be aware that bridge surfaces tend to freeze more quickly and remain frozen longer than other road surfaces.

6. Turn headlights on to increase your visibility; they are required any time your wipers are in operation.

7. Consider keeping a fully charged cell phone pre-programmed with emergency numbers with you while driving. If you become disabled dial 911 to report your location as accurately as possible and the nature of the emergency.

8. Every vehicle should be fully stocked with an emergency kit with a spare tire, jumper cables, shovel, flashlight, flares, ice scraper, brush, blanket and additional warm clothing; hat, coat, gloves and warm footwear. 

9. If an emergency situation should arise pull over as far to the right as possible, activate your car's hazard lights and stay inside the vehicle whenever possible.

If you are out in the , keep in mind that the city uses an “even and odd” system for parking during snowfall. The system allows residents to park on the side of the street with odd addresses during winters that begin in odd years. This year is an odd year. Vehicles parked on the restricted side will be ticketed and required to move immediately.

This winter (the 2011-2012) season, owners will be required to park their vehicles in a driveway or on the side of the street with odd house numbers. This will move all the vehicles to one side of the street, allowing the streets to be plowed quicker and more efficiently. Call the public works department at 314-729-4720 with any questions.


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