Florida snow: Truck driver crashes while doing doughnuts in road, deputies say
WALTON COUNTY, Fla. - A pickup driver learned a tough lesson when they crashed into a creek after doing doughnuts on a snow-covered Florida road, authorities said.
Deputies responded to the crash on Highway 20 near Windswept overnight after a caller reported the incident.
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Further details regarding the crash were not immediately released.
What they're saying:
In a social media post, the Walton County Sheriff's Office urged people to stay off the roads due to the hazardous conditions caused by the wintry weather.
"Perhaps don’t zoomy zoom on the slicky slick so you don’t end up in the ditchy ditch," the sheriff's office wrote. "You may end up in the snowy snow waiting on a towy tow."
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How to drive in snow
Here are some tips to help you drive safely in winter conditions, according to The Auto Club Group (AAA):
- Always drive slowly - adjust your speed as there could be lower traction when driving on snow or ice.
- Accelerate and decelerate gradually - Apply the gas gently to maintain traction and prevent skids. Avoid sudden starts and take your time slowing down for stoplights. Keep in mind that stopping on icy roads takes longer.
- Increase your following distance - Maintain a gap of five to six seconds between your vehicle and the one in front. This extra distance provides the time needed to stop safely on slippery surfaces.
- Understand your brakes - Whether your car has antilock brakes or not, keep your heel on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply steady, firm pressure to the brake pedal.
- Avoid stopping when possible - Starting from a full stop requires more effort than moving while still rolling. If approaching a red light, slow down enough to keep rolling until it turns green.
- Don’t use extra power on hills - Pressing the gas pedal harder on snow-covered roads can cause your wheels to spin. Instead, build up some momentum on a flat road before reaching the hill and let that carry you upward. Reduce your speed as you crest the hill and descend slowly.
- Keep moving uphill - Stopping on an icy incline makes it difficult to regain traction and start moving again. Build momentum on a level surface before tackling the hill.
The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Walton County Sheriff's Office. Driver safety tips were provided by AAA.