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UHP reminds motorists to be cautious during snowy, icy weather

Posted at 10:19 PM, Dec 29, 2015
and last updated 2015-12-30 09:54:53-05

SALT LAKE CITY - If you have four-wheel drive or snow tires, Utah Highway Patrol troopers worry you may be more likely to cause an accident.

Troopers say motorists may have a false sense of security, but on ice, all cars stop equally slow.

"When there's that layer of ice, there's not a lot you can do to slow down," said Lt. Beau Mason with UHP.

Lt. Mason said troopers had their hands full Tuesday night with mostly rear-end collisions.  He said a large portion of those accidents had four-wheel drive cars involved.

"The four wheelers need to slow down," said Christian Mason, a semi-truck driver in Salt Lake City.  "In perfect honesty, when weather is like this, I'm on high alert."

Lt. Mason pointed out that cars with four-wheel drive tend to drive faster, but have no ability to stop faster, causing a lot of accidents.

"You need a good 100 feet to stop, so stop tailgating," Lt. Mason said.

UHP points out some obvious tips, but says not enough drivers are following them.

They encourage drivers to drive slowly, stay at least 100 yards behind the cars in front of them and to be careful on bridges and when entering and exiting the highway.