A difficult period

Winter is one of the most difficult periods of the year for drivers, pedestrians, employees of the State Traffic Inspectorate and road services. Snowfall, sleet, frost, and low visibility increase the risk of accidents and congestion. Izvestia investigated how it is possible to ensure the safety of road users in these conditions.

Prevent and eliminate

Winter is a time of difficult weather conditions. Snowfalls, strong winds, and icy conditions have a serious impact on traffic. And due to the terrain features in a number of regions of the country, they further complicate the already difficult situation on the roads. Potentially problematic sections of highways are well known to both road workers and employees of the State Traffic Inspectorate. Therefore, they prepare for difficulties in advance.

Some of the most difficult places are sections of trails in mountainous terrain with long descents and ascents. Also, as practice shows, snow drifts often occur on open sections of roads, and crosswinds can have a serious impact on traffic safety here. Taking into account the weather forecasts, their patrolling is reinforced in advance by additional traffic police units, the State Traffic Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia said. And in the narrowest places, round-the-clock duty of traffic police crews is organized. This makes it possible to quickly respond to changes in weather and road conditions so that road services can remove snow from the roadway in a timely manner and treat it with anti-icing reagents, the department emphasizes. In addition, in case of traffic complications, it makes it possible to immediately respond to any changes in the traffic situation, take prompt measures to regulate traffic flows, organize a detour around a difficult section of the highway, and warn drivers about difficulties and dangers on the road, the State Traffic Inspectorate notes.

In difficult weather conditions, traffic safety largely depends on how quickly road and utility services bring the roadway into proper condition. Therefore, in winter bad weather, traffic police crews accompany columns of snow removal equipment to remove fallen snow from the roadway as quickly as possible and treat it with anti-icing reagents.

— We kindly ask drivers to exercise restraint and not try to overtake the snow blowers or squeeze between them. This not only complicates the work of road services in clearing highways, but also dramatically increases the likelihood of accidents," said Police Major General Alexei Kuznetsov, Deputy head of the State Traffic Inspectorate of the Russian Interior Ministry.

When bad weather wins

In some cases, bad weather does not allow for complete traffic safety on a particular section of the highway. Then the road workers and the State Traffic Inspectorate impose restrictions on the passage of certain types of transport (for example, buses and heavy trucks), and in exceptional situations — a ban on movement for all cars. The duration of such restrictions depends primarily on the rampant elements and how quickly it will be possible to eliminate the consequences of bad weather and ensure traffic safety, the State Traffic Inspectorate emphasizes. In the most difficult situations, when traffic is interrupted for a long period, in coordination with the road services and local administrations, organized columns of transport are formed, which, accompanied by snow plowing equipment and traffic police patrol cars, drive through a difficult area along alternative routes or reserve lanes, the State Traffic Inspectorate said.

— When planning trips in winter, you should check weather forecasts, as well as media reports, and plan alternative routes and detours in advance. In case of temporary closure of road sections due to worsening weather conditions, information about this is promptly posted in the regional sections of the official website of the State Traffic Inspectorate and on the official pages of the service units on social networks," said Alexey Kuznetsov.

No sudden movements

To a large extent, road safety depends on the behavior of the road users themselves, the State Traffic Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia emphasizes. One of the fundamental factors influencing the successful completion of a trip in winter conditions is the correct rhythm of movement, the department notes. When choosing a speed, drivers must be guided not only by road signs that limit speed on a particular section of the highway, but also by the condition of the road itself, the vehicle, meteorological conditions and visibility in the direction of travel, the Traffic Police remind. In addition, in winter, you should double or triple the distance to the transport ahead.

— Variable information signs are increasingly appearing on many roads, which display speed limits relevant to this section of the highway, taking into account its road and weather conditions. Drivers should pay attention to these prompts and not ignore them," recommends Igor Morzharetto, a member of the presidium of the Public Council under the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.

He also recalls the need for constant monitoring of the environment, avoiding the use of phones and other gadgets while driving, as well as the obligatory regular rest during the trip. Motorists should be especially careful when passing bridges, overpasses, and approaching intersections, Igor Morzharetto notes. To avoid skidding, all steering movements, pressing the gas pedal and brakes should be as smooth as possible, the expert emphasizes.

— Emergency training courses are a good help for the driver. But it is important to understand that these classes are not intended to practice drifting, but to use the skills they have acquired to prevent accidents on the road, especially in winter," notes Igor Morzharetto.

Pedestrians can also contribute to ensuring road safety in winter, the State Traffic Inspectorate emphasizes. To do this, they do not need any special efforts: it is enough to wear retroreflective elements on their outerwear at night, cross the road only in designated places and only at a traffic light, and also stop and make sure of the safety of their actions before starting the crossing, the State Traffic Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia reminds.

Attention to technology

Regardless of the time of year, drivers are required to ensure the technical serviceability of the vehicle before traveling, the State Traffic Inspectorate also notes. In winter, this requirement prescribed in the traffic regulations is even more relevant, the department emphasizes.

In particular, motorists are required to ensure the serviceability of lighting devices, brake and steering systems, and check the level of technical fluids. In winter, before driving, the car must be thoroughly cleaned of snow, including removing a snowdrift from its roof, so that snow falling off the car does not impair visibility to other drivers and does not cause an accident. Of course, winter tires with a residual tread depth of at least 4 mm must be installed on all wheels of the car, the State Traffic Inspectorate reminds.

— When going on a trip in winter, you should take a few bottles of water, a light snack, and a charged powerbank. Warm clothes, a canister of fuel, a shovel and an axe will also be useful. All this can be useful in case of unforeseen situations, — Igor Morzharetto recommends.

Assistants in uniform

Along with traffic control and the suppression of offenses, one of the main tasks of traffic police inspectors is to provide comprehensive assistance to motorists who find themselves in a difficult situation on the road, the State Traffic Inspectorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia emphasizes. Since the beginning of winter, patrol officers have repeatedly come to the aid of motorists.

So, during the recent abnormal snowfall, traffic inspectors from Reutov, Moscow region, manually helped a truck that was skidding on a snowy road to overcome an uphill climb. In Khakassia, Irkutsk Region, Krasnoyarsk Territory and other regions of the country, traffic police officers assisted drivers whose cars had broken down due to severe cold weather: they offered drivers and passengers to keep warm in patrol cars, organized the evacuation of faulty vehicles to technical centers or helped with troubleshooting on the spot.

— In case of any emergency situations on the road, drivers can always count on the possible assistance of traffic police officers. If necessary, traffic police inspectors can provide first aid — patrol cars are equipped with special stowage, and car inspectors have completed the necessary courses and have the appropriate skills and techniques," said Alexey Kuznetsov, deputy head of the Russian State Traffic Inspectorate.

The material was created as part of the implementation of the federal project "Road Safety" of the national project "Infrastructure for Life".