This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
I recently had a very close call on I-15 in full daylight and on dry roads. A two-foot block of ice and snow flew off a northbound Coca-Cola distributor semi-trailer and landed on the passenger side of my car with a heart-stopping crash.
Fortunately, the only casualty was the side mirror. But had I been one more car length behind the truck, the block would have landed on the hood and windshield with disastrous results — for me and the vehicles following me.
It's hard to understand why people choose to drive after a snowstorm before clearing snow and ice from their vehicles. Clearing the driver's side windshield does not give you sufficient view of the road. Snow and ice spiral off your vehicle, dangerously littering the roads. Before driving off, check the undercarriage (that's for you Coca-Cola), clear all windows, mirrors and head and tail lights, and sweep off snow piled on the hood, roof and trunk.
A scraper and brush will set you back $3.99 at your local Maverik and add five minutes to your commute. The snow you don't remove will land on the road — or my windshield. For everyone's sake, leave it in your driveway.
Valoree Dowell
Salt Lake City