MSHP shares winter safety tips for Missouri motorists

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- As winter weather approaches, driving may become a little trickier.

Drivers will have to deal with limited visibility, longer braking distances, snowfall and icy roads.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, there were over 3,370 vehicle crashes in Missouri in 2024 during periods of snow, sleet, hail or ice, which resulted in 819 injuries and 10 deaths.

Sgt. Shane Hux said it's important to check your local weather forecast before making any travel arrangements.

"Look on the internet for the local weather conditions. Not only is it important to check the weather where you live,  but also where you're traveling to and in between," he said

Hux said it's very important to make sure your vehicle is winter-ready.

"Very important to make sure that your tires are properly inflated.  The vehicle's in good mechanical condition,  you know, the antifreeze, everything good battery,  because what we don't want is for people to get stranded  during inclement weather," he said

Hux said driver's patterns should change in the winter due to the snow and ice.

"Make sure you decrease your speed and increase your following distance. Just because the speed limit is 70 miles per hour on the interstate, that doesn't mean that you can always travel 70 miles per hour," he said. "There's times where you maybe you can only do 25, 30 miles per hour." 

Hux gives tips on what to do if your vehicle starts to skid on the road.

"It's one of those moments where you don't want to break.  You want to counter steer and try to get that vehicle to come out of it," he said.

Hux said one thing remains constant every year: vehicles are more likely to strike Missouri Department of Transportation snowplows.

"If you cannot pass them safely, then don't pass them at all. Just stay behind them and travel them at a safe distance to give them time to where they can remove the snow from the roadway," he said.

Overall, Hux said, sometimes it's best for the public to stay home where there is inclement weather.