Driving in Dangerous Weather
Many people choose to stay off the roadways when winter weather impacts Kentucky. However, staying off the roads isn’t an option for law enforcement officers.
Department of Criminal Justice Training Driving Instructor Brian Burnette said the Tactics Section discusses the subject in detail with recruits and those returning for in-service training. Law enforcement recruits have 34.5 hours of driver training during basic training, and DOCJT offers three to four in-service driver training courses throughout the year. These trainings are designed to keep officers safe while on the roads.
“We talk about greater following distances, slowing down, smooth steering inputs, smooth applications of the gas or brake pedal, and making sure your patrol vehicle’s Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) and traction control aids are working properly,” Burnette said. “It is also important to ensure your vehicle’s tires have the proper pounds per square inch (PSI) and tread depth.”
Knowing how to operate a vehicle correctly is essential to people from all walks of life, including law enforcement. According to the FBI’s 2022 Data on Law Enforcement Officer Deaths, there were 35 law enforcement officer deaths attributed to motor vehicle crashes.
The critical point Burnette stressed is to slow down when driving in adverse weather.
“Focus on keeping your line of sight far down the roadway,” he advised. “This increases the time you have to react to any hazards.
“During low-traction conditions, a vehicle will require more stopping distance than it would on dry conditions and even at higher speeds,” Burnette continued. “We do not recommend a certain following distance or time between cars. There are too many variables that come into play. The condition of your vehicle, the tread depth of your tires, traffic conditions, the type of roadway you are on, etc. All these things, plus many more, will all affect your vehicle's abilities.”
Situational Awareness
Burnette said that driving is a diminishable skill, and it is vital that law enforcement officers train and prepare for all weather conditions.
Law enforcement officers should exercise common sense and situational awareness when driving in poor weather like other skills, he added.
“That’s very important,” Burnette said. “You know that during poor road conditions, the vehicle will react differently. Slow down and give yourself enough space to react safely.”
Many factors come into play when driving in bad weather, and it’s important that officers are aware of their immediate surroundings, including paying attention to road conditions as they change or worsen.
“Your corrections to loss of control will be much faster if you are prepared for it versus it happening, and then your brain has to perceive and react to the lack of control,” he explained. “You must also pay attention to your vehicle.
“Do the steering, ride, handling, or driving aids feel different?” he continued. “It could be a mechanical issue that will increase the dangers of driving in hazardous conditions. Make sure you keep your eyes moving. That decreases tunnel vision and allows you to see and prepare for upcoming hazards.”
Check Your Ego at the Door
Burnette said some law enforcement tend to feel they are bulletproof, but that’s not the case.
“Control your ego,” he cautioned. “Do not drive beyond your ability. Always drive at 80% of your ability. This gives you room for error, and you are still within your limits.”
Visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for more tips on winter weather driving.
