ANCHOR INTRO:

Everybody knows driving in the snow can be dangerous.

But what can drivers do to prevent getting in an accident this winter?

Heather Anuta has more on how to stay safe during the holiday season.

TAKE SCRIPT:

As the snow begins to fall in Kent and the streets are getting slick, it is a reminder that driving in the winter is more dangerous than normal.

In 2009, Portage County had 10 automobile fatalities.

This year there have already been 16.

To stay safe Automobile Detailer Nate Stemnock says there are a few things you can do to make sure your car is prepared for the weather.

SOT: (Stemnock)

THE NUMBER ONE THING IS TO GET SNOW TIRES FOR THEIR CAR OR ALL TERRAIN TIRES- YOU KNOW THE ONES THAT ARE GOOD THROUGH OUT ALL THE SEASONS. ANOTHER THING WOULD BE TO MAKE SURE THEIR WINDSHIED WIPER BLADES ARE GOOD SO WHEN SNOW PILES UP ON THE WIND SHIELD THEY CAN GET IT CLEANED OFF WHEREAS BAD WIPERS WON’T DO THAT. ANOTHER THING COULD BE CHECKING THE BRAKES.

Kent State University Police Associate Director of Public Safety Dan Fitzpatrick says there a few important things to remember when driving in the snow.

The number one thing he says is wearing a seat belt.

He says to keep a safe distance from the car in front of you.

And an obvious one- don’t use a cell phone while driving.

STAND UP:

BUT SNOW ISN’T THE ONLY PROBLEM WITH WINTER DRIVING. WITH THE HOLIDAYS COMING UP, PEOPLE ARE ATTENDING MORE PARTIES, USUALLY WITH ALCOHOL BEING SERVED.

In Portage County, the Safer Communities Program is pushing their “Over the limit, under arrest” campaign more in December than other months because of the holidays.

In 2009, thirty two percent of traffic deaths in Ohio were D-U-I related.

Of the ten automobile fatalities in Portage County, two were drug and alcohol related.

This year that number has already doubled.

Safer Communities Grand Administrator Lynette Blasiman says when people leave parties they need to know it doesn’t matter how many drinks they’ve had.

They shouldn’t drive.

SOT: (Blasiman)

GET A DESIGNATED DRIVER. DON’T BE AFRAID TO CALL. AND FRIENDS REALLY HAVE TO LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER BECAUSE WE PUSH TOO THAT FRIENDS DON’T LET FRIENDS DRINK AND DRIVE.

Fitzpatrick said the best advice is that if you don’t have to drive, don’t.

SOT: (Blasiman)

ALCOHOL DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE. NOBODY IS PROTECTED FROM IT.

For TV2, I’m Heather Anuta.

ANCHOR TAG: Of the fatalities in Portage County in 2009, two of them were drug and alcohol related. In 2010, that number has already jumped to four.