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Page 2 - Winter, 2011 SAFETY TIPS WINTER SURVIVAL IN YOUR CAR … (Cont’d) SNOWMOBILE RULES Keep Fresh Air in Your Vehicle Shortest Possible Route: It is unlawful for any person to enter, operate or stop a It’s much better to be cold and awake than comfortably warm and sleepy. Wet or wind- snowmobile within the limits of the City of Centerville along or upon any roadway driven snow can plug your vehicle’s exhaust system and cause deadly carbon monoxide except for the sole purpose of leaving and returning to a place of residence pro- gas to enter your vehicle. Don’t run the engine unless you are sure the exhaust pipe is vided that such travel is limited to the shortest possible route between the resi- free of snow. Keep snow off the radiator to prevent the engine from overheating. dence and a restaurant or a gasoline filling station or between a residence and a place where the snowmobile may be legally used. Stay Warm Without Fuel Keep your blood circulating freely by loosening tight clothing, changing positions fre- Speed: Snowmobiles must not exceed ten (10) miles per hour on City streets. quently and moving your arms and legs. Huddle close to one another. Rub your hands Age Limit: Persons under the age of 14 are prohibited from operating the snow- together or put them in your armpits or between your legs. Remove your shoes occasion- mobile on City streets. Persons over the age of 14 and under the age of 18 must ally and rub your feet. have the immediate possession of a valid snowmobile safety certificate issued by Don’t Expect to Be Comfortable the Commissioner of Natural Resources or a valid driver’s license. The challenge is to survive until you’re found. Church: Snowmobiles are prohibited within two hundred (200) feet of church WINTER DRIVING TIPS property during hours of church services and hours of other church functions. Be Able to See and Be Seen Curfew: Snowmobiles are prohibited between the hours of: 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. Clean frost and snow off all windows, mirrors, lights and reflectors. Equip your car with Sunday - Thursday and 12:01 a.m. - 7:00 a.m. Friday - Saturday. Permitted hours good wiper blades and keep an ample supply of windshield washer fluid. If visibility is of operation on the day before Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day shall poor, use headlamps. be the same as a Friday. Get a Feel for the Road Easements: Snowmobiles are prohibited on boulevards within any public right-of- When you first start out, accelerate carefully to test wheel-spin and brake gently to test way. skidding. Intersection(s): Snowmobiles must make a complete stop upon entering any Be Gentle uncontrolled intersection. Snowmobiles must then yield the right-of-way to any Use the accelerator and brakes slowly to maintain control of your vehicle. Fast accelera- vehicle or pedestrians at the intersection, or so close to the intersection as to tion can make wheels spin on ice and snow. Brake with a gentle pumping action. Step- constitute an immediate hazard. ping too hard on the pedal will lock the brakes and cause loss of steering control. Parks: Snowmobiles are prohibited from public property, playgrounds and recrea- tional areas, except authorized for such use by the City. Increase Your Following Distance Ice or snow can multiply your stopping distance up to ten times. Pedestrian: Snowmobiles are prohibited within one hundred (100) feet of any fisherman, pedestrian, skating rink, or sliding area where the operation would Make Turns Slowly and Gradually conflict with use or endanger other persons or operation, in those areas at a speed Heavily traveled intersections can become “polished” and slick. Brake before you come to greater than reasonable and prudent. a curve, not while you are in it. Private Property: Snowmobiles are prohibited on private property of another with- Turn in the Direction of the Skid out specific permission of the owner. If the rear of your car begins to slide, turn into the direction of the skid. Expect a second skid as the car straightens out, and be prepared to counter this sliding action. School: Snowmobiles are prohibited on school grounds, except as permission is expressly obtained from responsible school authorities. Scattered Slippery Spots Icy spots on the road surface can cause loss of steering control. Do not use your brake. Sidewalks/Bike-Walking Paths: Snowmobiles are prohibited on public sidewalks/ Take your foot off the gas and steer as straight as possible until your car slows to a safe bike-walking paths - these are provided for pedestrian traffic only. speed. Speed: Snowmobiles must not exceed ten (10) miles per hour on City streets. Avoiding a Collision Streets: Snowmobiles must be on the most right hand lane available for traffic or In an emergency situation, you can intentionally steer your car off the road and into a as close as practicable to right hand curb or edge of the roadway. snow bank. You may get stuck, but you’ll avoid a crash. Snowmobiles are prohibited on the inside slope and roadway of any trunk, county- For more information visit: http://www.centenniallakespd.govoffice2.com/ . Click on the News tab, state aid and county highways within the City limits. then on Winter Driving. Studs: It is unlawful for any person to enter, operate or stop a snowmobile within WHAT IS BLACK ICE? the limits of the City of Centerville on any street or public property Black ice is actually invisible ice that is almost totally transparent. It can easily catch drivers off guard and cause crashes. Black ice forms when the air temperature is warmer than when the drive track is equipped with metal studs. pavement, which causes moisture to rapidly freeze and creates a thin, transparent layer of ice on the roadway. The City’s Planning & Zoning Commission, along with neighboring communities are combining efforts to try to streamline their snowmo- ● Be prepared for black ice by doing the following: Slow down on bridges, overpasses and tunnels, bile ordinances allowing for ease of enforcement and riders ability to and in the early morning when the air temperature is rising faster than the pavement temperature. understand rules/regulations entering/exiting neighboring communities and opera- ● Avoid applying brakes on ice as it may cause a vehicle to skid. Do not use cruise control during tion within our community. It is not anticipated that modifications will be made this winter driving conditions. year; however, please check with City Hall next year. ● Use a safe speed for winter driving conditions, regardless of the posted speed limit. ● Keep a safe stopping distance from the vehicle in front of you. ● Do not use a cell phone while driving and remember that texting is prohibited while driving in Minnesota. ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY INFORMATION Salt the Fish on Your Plate, Not the Ones in the Lake Did you know that our creeks and lakes get polluted during our winter months? Since the early 1950’s, our metro area waters have become increasingly salty. Chloride (salt) levels in our water have become so high that many metro area creeks are now considered unhealthy. According to the Environmental Protection Agency standards, many creeks around the state are unhealthy due to high chloride levels. Standards are being developed for lakes and soon we will be able to identify area lakes with high chloride levels too. Continued on Next Page