Troopers watch for drunk drivers, warn of winter driving

Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes

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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies across the state were ramping up DUI enforcement efforts Thursday night for New Year's Eve, but troopers were also cautioning about winter driving amid recent fatalities.

It was barely 9 p.m. Thursday when Lt. Paul Kotter announced UHP had made its first DUI arrest of the night.

Troopers were embarking on 112 extra DUI shifts this weekend to take intoxicated drivers off the road.

"The problem with DUI crime is you can't put the shattered glass back together," said Art Brown of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) at a DUI blitz launch event.

Meanwhile, troopers were warning of the dangers of driving in icy and snowy conditions after three deaths this week on icy roads.

"Black ice — it's deceiving," Sgt. Rich Nielson said. "A lot of times you don't know it until you're into it."

Winter driving tips from AAA

Avoid driving while you're fatigued. Getting the proper amount of rest before taking on winter weather tasks reduces driving risks.
Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
Make certain your tires are properly inflated.
Never mix radial tires with other tire types.
Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.
If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather.
Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand).
Always look and steer where you want to go.
Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle.

Source: aaa.com

Nielson, who trains new and existing troopers in UHP's Emergency Vehicle Operations (EVO) program, demonstrated to a KSL news crew what can happen in slick and snowy conditions, sliding around a vacant parking lot.

"If you turn the same direction your back end is going, you can gain control of your vehicle," he explained. "It might start swinging back the other way — you've got to hurry and re-correct that."

Nielson said many of the maneuvers that work on snow apply to black ice as well.

"Avoid slamming on the brakes," Nielson said. "If you need to use your brakes, apply the brake pressure slowly. You kind of need that rolling friction to keep traction."

Nielson also recommended having good tire treads or snow tires, and to reduce speeds — potentially by up to half if the conditions warrant it.

"If you do have to do any type of vehicle maneuver when it's cold and there's snow out on the roads, it's going to be a lot harder to gain control of your vehicle."