Open Letter to Sioux Falls Drivers during Winter Months

Attention Sioux Falls drivers, it's wintertime again, please do not overdrive the road conditions!

A reminder that definitely needed to be said to several people throughout the Sioux Empire on Tuesday as they failed to heed safe driving practices after Sioux Falls experienced its first significant snowfall of the 2022-2023 winter weather season.

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Dakota News Now is reporting that the Sioux Falls Police Department responded to 25 different car accidents on Tuesday (November 29) between the hours of 7 AM and 10 AM alone.

Fortunately, most of these vehicle mishaps ended up just being fender benders. According to Dakota News Now, there were no serious injuries reported. A true blessing if you ask me.

My intent is not to sound preachy with this article, lord knows accidents happen, but just because you drive a pickup truck or an SUV with four-wheel drive, does not give you an open invitation to drive 50 + mph down a well-traveled Sioux Falls street with icy road conditions.

Sioux Falls Police Department responded to 25 different car accidents on November 29

Personally, most of the intersections I encountered yesterday on my commute to and from work were snow packed and icy. They were especially icy on the way home as a lot of the freshly fallen snow had worn off the really well-traveled Sioux Falls city streets leaving that icy underbelly layer exposed. Some of the streets contained black ice, which can be very deceiving.

Over-driving these icy road conditions can easily lead to things going boom in a big-time hurry if you're not careful. Good for body shops, but not so good for you, your vehicle, and your car insurance rates.

I think officer Sam Clemens with the Sioux Falls Police Department said it best during a police briefing with the media on Tuesday. Clemen's advice for Sioux Falls drivers as they once again learn how to drive in snow and ice was a simple one, "Slow down, make sure there is extra room between you and the vehicle in front of you and take your time."

Might I add, please remember to accelerate and decelerate more slowly and know your brakes!

As Sergeant Phil Esterhaus from Hill Street Blues was so fond of saying each morning to his officers, "Let's Be Careful Out There."

TRENDING FROM RESULTS-TOWNSQUARE MEDIA SIOUX FALLS

A Survival Guide For Your First Winter in South Dakota

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and the rest of the Sioux Empire (AKA southeastern South Dakota) are welcoming thousands of new residents every year.

Many of you new folks will be experiencing your first eastern South Dakota winter. While it doesn't usually get as bad as our Dakota friends up north, I speak from experience when I say it can get a little rough.

MORE: What Every South Dakotan Should Be Doing to Prepare for Winter

So, to help ease you into winter in Sioux Falls and South Dakota here are some winter survival tips:

Do You Remember These 10 Crazy Snowstorms In South Dakota?

Here's some news that some South Dakotans prefer not to hear this time of year. Winter is coming. In denial? The dropping temperatures and early snowstorms out west by Deadwood speak for themselves.

Slowly but surely, people of the Sioux Empire are bracing for colder weather and snow-covered roads. Even though snow will soon be gracing the Sioux Empire with its presence, some snow showers will not compare to these ten dreadful snowstorms that hit South Dakota.

Only In Your State highlights these ten snowstorms in South Dakota as a reminder for people to always be aware of the roads during the winter. These South Dakotan winters can be harsh, which is why it is always a good idea to plan ahead and prepare for the worst.

Do you remember any major snowstorms that hit South Dakota?

Categories: Articles, Newsletter KMXC