Prepare early for winter driving

BLUE MOUNTAINS - The snow is starting to fall in Washington State mountain passes and drivers should prepare for slippery roads.

On Oct. 10 the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) was training crews to operate a grader in the Blue Mountains as the snow was coming down.

Before driving across passes in Washington state, check the WSDOT website at http://www.wsdot.com/traffic/passes.

Some WSDOT tips:

• Drive for conditions: slower speeds and slower acceleration

• Check to see if you have traction tires and chains

• Do not use cruise control

• Four-wheel and all-wheel drive vehicles do not stop or steer better on ice

• Leave extra room between you and the vehicle in front of you. Remember, the larger the vehicle, the longer the stopping distance

• Slow down when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges, or shady spots

• If you find yourself behind a snowplow, slow down and give the plow a little extra room

For more tips to prepare for winter driving, visit http://www.wsdot.com/winter/.