rap #3 01/6/11
SAFETY COMES FIRST WHEN THE SNOW STARTS TO FALL
JACK FROST is back with a vengeance, but whether driving on icy roads or cleaning the white stuff from a sidewalk, safety comes first.
"Winter still has a long way to go and already we’ve had a blizzard and more storms are likely on the way," said Freeholder Director Joseph H.
Vicari. "I ask all residents to remember some simple safety tips when it comes to dealing with snow and ice."
Most importantly, be aware of the physical challenges of shoveling snow.
"Shoveling snow and ice can be a back-breaking job," Vicari said. "It’s not worth putting your health at risk to shovel a path to the mailbox."
Both seniors and residents suffering from medical conditions should avoid shoveling and instead seek assistance from friends and family, or if
possible hire someone to do the work.
Vicari also asked both residents and private contractors not to shovel or blow snow onto roadways, where it can create a driving hazard and block
storm drains.
Freeholder James F. Lacey, liaison to the Ocean County Road Department also offered some ideas on how to deal with the colder months:
- When clearing out a driveway, pile the snow to the right when facing the road so when the plow comes down the street it doesn’t push extra snow back onto
the driveway. Plows generally follow the normal flow of traffic.
- Don’t park at end of the driveway because the plow may swerve out onto road to avoid your vehicle, leaving you with even more snow to clear.
- On municipal roads, many times the first pass by a plow is simply to clear a lane for emergency vehicles. If you can, wait until the plow clears both sides
of the street before attempting to shovel out a driveway.
Freeholder John P. Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety, also asked residents to use caution while driving during and after snow and ice storms.
While sand trucks from the county, state and local municipalities will respond during inclement weather, there is no substitution for a safe and educated
driver behind the wheel, Kelly said.
"Icy patches can be difficult to spot, especially if it’s black ice," he said "Reducing your speed ensures that if you hit ice, you’ll be more
likely to keep control of your vehicle."
State law also requires the use of headlights while windshield wipers are in use, he said.
"It’s also important - and it’s the law - to clean off your car or truck before driving," Kelly said. "Chunks of snow and ice flying off of a
moving vehicle pose a hazard to both other motorists and pedestrians."
