With the winter months fast approaching, many Vermonters are looking forward to the snow and the activities it brings, but there is also some concern that comes with the winter wonderland.
On average, Vermont gets roughly 78.8 inches of snow per year, with most of it falling between the months of December and March. Many people appreciate Vermont for its snow-filled winters, as it means winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, and even sledding. However, the winter months also bring, along with the snow, severe road conditions that can at times prove fatal to those driving the roads of the Northeast Kingdom.
While much of Vermont is considered rural, the Northeast Kingdom is especially so. Many of the towns are spread miles apart, often times through woods or over mountains. Such a drive describes the trip that Cameron Marcoux, a Lyndon State student, takes on his daily commute from Island Pond.
“I live about 35 minutes from the college,” Marcoux said. “I have to travel over the Heights of the Land [Sheffield Heights], then through East Haven, East Burke and finally Lyndonville. The worst part of the drive is through the Heights- It’s not always easy to make my way over a mountain with tight winding turns.”
Roads like this make for dangerous driving conditions at any time of the year, but in the winter it gets worse. Marcoux believes that clear road conditions are very important for his commute during the winter months.
“The road over the Heights [of the Land] isn’t exactly in good condition at any time of the year, but in winter it’s a lot worse,” Marcoux said of his drive. “I think they do a fairly good job of keeping the roads clear from snow. There’s a lot of area to cover, but most of the time the roads have at least been cleared before I begin the commute.”
While clear roads do increase traction and ultimately promote safer driving during the winter, sometimes that is still not enough to keep drivers on the road.
“We respond to roughly 70 automobile accidents during the winter months,” said Mark Podgwaite, a staff member of Lyndonville’s Lyndon Rescue. “Most of them are just simple slide offs though with little to no injuries.”
While many automobile accidents are non-fatal during the winter months, careful driving is a must when driving during the winter. For many, however, the commute, even in the worst conditions, is a necessity.
“I feel like I’m a decent driver and everything,” said Marcoux about braving the storms to commute to his classes, “But sometimes it’s awful out there. It’s not fun to drive when you can’t even see. Occasionally though I have to make risky decisions. If the weather is terrible outside, but I don’t feel like I can skip the class… I have to brave the storm.”
While driving through harsh winter conditions is sometimes a necessity, precautions can be made to ensure safety during your commute. Winter tires can make a huge difference while attempting to brave the winter elements. Also, driving slower than the posted speed limit can limit the amount of skidding and increase control while driving slick, icy roads. With these precautions and many more, drivers are sure to stay safe and make their commute with relative ease.