PORTAGE, Mich. — With snowfall expected to reach about 10 inches in Southwest Michigan, the Kalamazoo County Road Commission want people to drive slowly and cautiously when out on the roads.
Truck drivers want people to do the same.
“Don’t tailgate,” said Randy Birk who drives a semi truck for Galaxy Transport in Stickney, Ill. “If there is a wreck and you’re tailgating, you’re going to be part of it.”
The commission said the number one reason most car crashes happen during snowstorms and blustery weather is due to vehicles driving too fast and too close to one another. They stress the importance of slowing down, especially when trucks are around.
“Just stay back away because if a truck does get sliding you don’t want to be part of it,” said Birk. “You don’t want to be passing a truck trying to go to fast, lose control and end up into the truck.”
Semis try to avoid driving close to cars said truck driver Steve Pellow.
“They try and stay away from them as much as possible because they get off on the side of the road and they spin out real easy,” said Pellow. “You try and avoid them.”
Pellow added that cars typically cut trucks off. That’s why truck drivers avoid them. His advice for drivers is the same as the commission’s: slow down.
“Take your time. Slow down a little bit,” said Pellow. “You’ll get where you’re going when you get there.”
