Winter weather this week caused I-80 to close across most of the state. The first major closure of the winter driving season was prompted by near zero visibility and blowing snow across much of interstate 80.
Sergeant David Wagener with the Wyoming Highway Patrol says the most important safety tip for winter driving is wearing your seatbelt, something he says everyone should be doing no matter what the weather conditions are.
"Since September 1st, the last 24 of the 25 highway fatalities in our state that had seatbelts available in the vehicles they were traveling in, they weren’t wearing them. Had they been wearing those seatbelts, their chance of surviving those crashes would have increased significantly," says Wagener.
Wagener says drivers who are suddenly faced with winter conditions should also reduce their speed and increase their following distance. He also recommends checking road closures before heading out and keeping an emergency kit with nonperishable food and blankets in your car. To check road conditions before heading out, you can visit wyoroad.info or call 511.