By Sergeant Patrick Rice
It’s hard to believe that August is in the books. Sometimes we get dizzy trying to keep up. We just thawed out from last winter and now we must prepare for the next one. Kids are back in school, vacation is over and it’s time to settle in for another Colorado winter. But we live here because we love the contrast of the seasons.
It’s part of what makes Colorado so beautiful and a bragging right for Coloradoans everywhere. I hear many lifelong Coloradoans tell me it’s the people moving in from out of state that cause problems on our roads. Those Californians and Texans don’t know how to drive, right?!
Well, as a Colorado peace officer with more than two decades under my belt, I’d like to insert an age-old truth bomb right here: When you are pointing your finger at someone else, you have three others pointing right back at you. If we want to wear the badge of “Colorado mountain drivers,” we need to do our part to hold the positive image we see ourselves in as true. We need to ensure our car’s engines are in good working order for hot and cold weather, as well as our air conditioners and heaters.
It’s just as important to keep our passengers safe in a climate-controlled vehicle as it is to make sure we don’t stall or break down. We need to have ample supplies for any weather condition if we are stranded in traffic behind those less prepared. We need to top off our windshield fluid with antifreeze windshield fluid and make sure our wipers are in good condition.
Most important of all, we need to check our tires and make sure they are properly inflated and have plenty of tread. If your car needs to have chains, cables, or socks make sure they are in the trunk and in good working order. Got all your jack parts? Do you know where that locking lug nut tool is? You’ll wish you did when you need to use it.
A big part of being a good Colorado driver is preparation. So, take this as your annual reminder to check your car before you head to the high country, no matter the conditions, because once you’re stuck, mountain weather can change very quickly and be treacherous.
Trooper Tips is an article written by Sergeant Patrick Rice with the Colorado State Patrol Public Affairs Office. Our goal is to bring the community and law enforcement closer together, improving the lives of Coloradoans’ and visitors, as well as making our jobs a little safer.
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