Officials stress safety in wintertime driving

As the nippy weather of autumn slips into the air, it will be only a couple of months or so before drivers face the perils of traveling on snow and ice, and police accident reports again begin to pile up on office desks.

Before that happens, county officials throughout Maine are working to educate drivers about safety regulations and laws for traveling, and a few tips to ensure preparedness.

The Maine Extension Homemakers sponsored a Rural Traffic Safety Education program recently, with those who attended the training sessions scheduled to bring the information back to other parts of the state. Because country roads include obstacles and possible driving hazards not usually found on interstates, people driving those back roads should be more aware and take different precautions, they said.

Much of the training, conducted through speakers and a video, stressed the need for wearing seat belts.

Rick Fowler, a trooper with the Maine State Police, said that Maine residents should never forget to winterize their cars — changing tires, checking fluids — and ensuring that the car carries items that would be useful should the driver break down. Each car should carry a first-aid kit, a flashlight with extra batteries, a blanket and other warm clothes, salt and sand, jumper cables, and any other items that might help a stranded motorist.

Fowler also stressed the need for wearing seat belts.

“I think that they’re worth their weight in gold in the majority of accidents,” he told the 11 people who attended the meeting.

Fowler also said that stranded motorists should be careful not to trust just anyone who comes along to help. A stranded motorist should wait for a known official, such as a police officer, or someone who can call for help.

“When you’re on the road, you can’t trust everybody who’s going to stop and help you,” he said.