With the first major storm of the winter season moving into the area this week, motorists are reminded to drive carefully.

Adair and Guthrie County Emergency Management Deputy Coordinator Jeremy Cooper tells Raccoon Valley Radio that there are a few places on roads that are more affected than others when winter weather hits. One part that many people know can be dangerous are bridges and overpasses, but Cooper adds that culverts can pose the same risk. He points out all three structures have one thing in common, there is an open space beneath them. Cooper says that with cold air hitting them from above and below, bridges, overpasses and culverts are more apt to icing over. He advises caution with curves as well.

“Typically in curves is a pretty common place. People are typically going too fast in some of those curves, and the crowning of the road just will pull you off onto the shoulders or towards the ditches.”

Cooper says that hills can also be hard to travel when roads are icy, with tires slipping and losing traction as well on icy and snowy conditions Cooper says that many people get into accidents on hills trying to keep from sliding back down.