DENVER — Throughout the day Thursday, as temperatures plummeted and the first snow of the season in Denver fell, the Denver Police Department kept drivers updated with “Hocus Pocus”-themed tweets, urging everyone to slow down and drive safely.
Although officials and meteorologists warned drivers ahead of the storm, as of 4 p.m. Thursday, Denver had 193 crash reports since 6 a.m., and Aurora reported 110.
Heading into PM rush hour, we’ve received 193 traffic crash reports since 6AM. Let’s do better this evening, #Denver. Take your time out there, allow for extra stopping distance and just drive safely — we’d hate to have to delay your trip home…😉 #CommuteResponsibly #snow pic.twitter.com/wbZMRgabDp
— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) October 10, 2019
Denver police also said 93 of the crashes were reported over three hours during the morning rush.
In the past 3 hours, we’ve had 96 traffic crash reports. Rush hour is coming to a close, but the #snow is coming down and there are plenty of motorists still on the roads — keep your wits about you, #Denver. Slow going is better than no-going. #CommuteResponsibly #SafetyFirst pic.twitter.com/qpkeAfKLWr
— Denver Police Dept. (@DenverPolice) October 10, 2019
The most common plea from the Denver Police Department, and other officials, was to slow down.
“Slow going is better than no-going,” the department said in a tweet.
According to a news release from AAA Colorado, the following are some tips for preparing to drive in winter-like weather:
- Slow down — Speed is the no. 1 factor in winter crashes.
- Get snow or all-season tires — Good tire tread can be the difference between sliding through an intersection and stopping when a driver intends to.
- Check tire pressure — Cold weather can cause tire pressure to decrease, making even tires with good tread unsafe to drive on.
- Don’t pump anti-lock brakes — If the brake pedal vibrates during a slick stop, it’s likely because the car has an anti-lock braking system. The car pulses the brakes itself, so it’s not necessary to manually pump the brakes.
- Get new windshield wipers — In Colorado, windshield wipers should be replaced about every six months, and wiper fluid that’s rated for low temperatures should be refilled.