MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It’s a reminder to be careful and not to drive where you can’t see a road.
Raymond Chiozza shared these pictures with Local 24 of an SUV that ended up in a pond at Memorial Park Cemetery in the 5600 block of Poplar Avenue. Memphis Fire Fighters had to help rescue the driver. They said he was able to safely get out of the vehicle using ladder firefighters put across for him.
In these winter conditions, it’s best to stay inside and off the roads if you can. If you must get out, here are some tips:
Make sure your headlights are on. In fact, it is a good idea to turn on your headlights any time you drive, because you will increase your visibility in any conditions.
Reduce your speed and leave plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the vehicle in front of you.
Brake gently to avoid skidding.
Do not use cruise control on any wet, snow-covered or icy roads.
Be aware of possible icy roads. Be especially careful on bridges and overpasses, which freeze sooner than roads. And even at temperatures above freezing, if conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
Be careful on infrequently traveled roads, which may not be cleared as often as other roads.
If you must pull off the road, wait for conditions to improve and pull off the road as far as you can, preferably past the end of a guardrail.
It is best to pull into a rest area or parking lot, rather than on the road’s shoulder.
