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VERNAL — At this time last year, Vernal was getting buried by a massive winter storm, and drivers were doing their best to get around on slick roads.
There hasn't been a major storm yet this winter, but when one shows up, Utah Highway Patrol troopers in the Uintah Basin and across the state know they'll be busy.
"We're planning for extra troopers on the road because generally we know there's going to be extra need, whether it be crashes or helping the general public on the side of the road," UHP Sgt. Brett Gehring said Friday.
Gehring was one of a number of troopers who spent Thursday and Friday talking with drivers at Showalter Ford about winter driving safety. The Vernal dealership also opened one of its service bays to perform free vehicle inspections.
"The biggest thing for us was to help out the community as a whole and make sure vehicles are safe on the road," said Matt Showalter, the dealership's marketing director.
Technicians checked fluids and topped them off when needed. They also looked for oil and coolant leaks, and checked the air pressure and the tread on tires.
Please we would encourage you, urge you and plead with you to slow down, to move over and to give us plenty of space. We want everyone to get home safe, that includes our troopers.
–UHP Sgt. Brett Gehring
Staying safe while driving in winter weather, however, goes beyond just having a well-maintained vehicle, Gehring said. It also requires decreasing speed, increasing following distance, not making any abrupt steering changes and wearing a seat belt, he said.
"If we can get the message out this way, without having to clean up crashes, that's a better way to do it," Gehring said.
Drivers should also keep a blanket, a flashlight, some food and other supplies in their car, the sergeant said, in case they have to spend an extended period of time in their vehicle waiting for help.
And when that help does arrive, other drivers should remember the state law that requires them to slow down and move over for emergency responders, Gehring said.
"Please we would encourage you, urge you and plead with you to slow down, to move over and to give us plenty of space," he said. "We want everyone to get home safe, that includes our troopers."
