8A COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL JANUARY 10, 2018
Are you ready?
D ISASTER P REPAREDNESS
Avoid accidents
on winter roads
K-9 retires
Cottage Grove Police Chief Scott Shepherd (right) fought back tears during the Jan.8 city council meeting as he retired K-9
offi cer Torq. The dog, shown above with handler Sgt. Chris Joyce and Shepherd, had his fi rst shift in Cottage Grove on Sept. 19,
2011 after being trained overseas in the Netherlands. The 10-year-old dog sustained an injury in late 2017, leading to his retirement.
According to Shepherd, Torq now enjoys naps, camping and fun with Joyce and his family.
Winter weather causes many people to retreat indoors until the
spring thaw. However, for those who embrace the cooler tempera-
tures or fi nd that life must go on despite snow and ice, taking in-
ventory of their vehicles is a must before the fi rst snowfl akes start
to fall.
Tire care is an especially important area of vehicle maintenance.
Summer tires are made from materials that are optimized for warm
conditions. When the mercury drops, these same materials can
harden, reducing their ability to grip the road. That lack of traction
can be compounded by the presence of snow or ice. Even all-sea-
son tires, which are designed to be driven year-round, can be insuf-
fi cient in severe weather conditions. Winter tires can help drivers
safely navigate winter roadways.
Bridgestone Tires says that having the right snow tires matters
when driving in winter weather conditions. It’s important to look
for tires that can disperse water suffi ciently and also grip the road.
Snow tires are designed to remain softer and more fl exible to con-
form to the road better in cold conditions. Some winter tires are
even studded to provide better traction.
Unfortunately, even the best winter tires cannot provide perfect
traction on slippery roadways. That is why it is essential — in con-
junction with the use of winter tires or snow chains — to modify
driving techniques to navigate safely.
• Drive slowly. Slow down on winter roads. Allow a greater dis-
tance for stopping than for dry conditions. Slippery conditions can
make it more challenging to stop, and excessive speeds can make
the situation worse.
• Shift into low gear. On hills, rely on low gears to maximize trac-
tion to travel up and down hills. This can minimize skids or sliding.
• Get the vehicle a tuneup. In addition to tires, be sure the braking
system, battery and other major components of the vehicle are in
good working order.
• Replace windshield wipers. Reduced visibility can compromise
the safety of drivers and their passengers. Replace windshield wip-
er blades before winter arrives. Consider purchasing winter-rated
windshield blades.
• Know how to recover from a skid. When skids occur on black
ice or slush, drivers should take their feet off of the pedals and steer
gently in the direction they want to go. As the vehicle regains trac-
tion, only then should the brakes or accelerator be applied.
Winter weather requires making some vehicle modifi cations, and
drivers may want to alter the way they drive to be more safe on the
road.
Winter Heating
Tune-Up
City to install electronic speed signs
The city ordered
and has received four
new radar speed signs.
These signs mount
on regular street sign
posts and are battery
powered for up to two
weeks at a time on
one charge. The signs
will replace the speed
trailer that is current-
ly used by the Police
Department.
These
signs are a coordinated
effort between the Po-
lice Department and
Public Works because
not only do the signs
display the speed of
traffi c passing the sign
but they also can col-
lect data regarding the
traffi c include num-
ber of vehicles, when
vehicles pass and the
speeds of the vehicles.
The data can be down-
loaded and used much
as the old road counter
tubes. The city pur-
chased spare batteries
and brackets to assist
in moving the signs
around to different ar-
eas and hopes to have
them programmed and
ready to install in a
few locations within
the next week.
The city is purchas-
ing the signs after a
meeting late last year
wherein
councilor
Mike Fleck suggest-
ed the city look into
purchasing electronic
speed signs.
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Make sure all the pieces are in place to render you and your family prepared in the event of a natural disaster.
• Listen to radio or television newscasts for the latest weather information, and follow all evacuation directions and suggestions.
• Keep a stock of non-perishable food items as well as bottled water on hand inside your home.
• Keep a 72 Hour Kit on hand inside your home that is easy to get to in the event of a disaster.
For more information and tips on disaster response and preparedness, contact your local emergency services center.
South Lane Fire & Rescue • 233 Harrison Ave, Cottage Grove 541-942-4493 • 55 South 1st Street, Creswell 541-895-2506
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