SLT Police contending with drivers going too fast and not prepared for conditions

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, CALIF. - There are basic rules when behind the wheel, not only in fair weather, but also in stormy and snowy weather as South Lake Tahoe has been experiencing.

Here are tips for driving in snow from the American Automobile Association (AAA):
- Accelerate and decelerate slowly

- Drive slowly
- The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds
- Know your brakes
- Don't stop if you can avoid it
- Don't power up hills. ...
- Don't stop going up a hill
- Stay home

Three overturned cars this week in South Lake Tahoe were all due to drivers not handling the road conditions correctly, two on Pioneer Trail and one on Al Tahoe Blvd.

On Thursday, five City of South Lake Tahoe vehicles were hit by drivers that were either going too fast for conditions or not having chains or snow tires on their vehicles. Three police cars were hit by out-of-control drivers; a fire truck and a road sander were also hit.

SLTPD Lt. Brian Williams said drivers need to slow down, and make sure chains or snow tires are on cars, especially on steep streets like Keller Road. Drivers heading down Keller gain speed and are unable to stop at the bottom where it intersects with Pioneer Trail. Mayor Pro Tem Wendy David also brought that road up during Tuesday's City Council meeting as she sees cars daily go flying down from Heavenly, only to crash into vehicles already stuck at the bottom.

Tailgating has been another big issue with drivers who assume they know how to drive in snow. Posted speed limits are for fair weather, normal driving conditions, and drivers shouldn't assume these are the speed limits for snow and ice. They can be ticketed for traveling at unsafe speeds.