Cape Girardeau Police Department Reminds Drivers to Proceed with Caution as Snow Continues to Fall

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) As snow covers roadways in the area, Cape Girardeau police are asking residents to be cautious on the roads or, if possible, stay home.

We rode along with Public Information Officer Bobby Newton on Friday to view the road conditions and discuss safety tips for drivers. Newton, pressed on the importance of slowing down and allowing extra time for travel.

“If you don’t have to get out, don’t get out,” Newton advises. “The roads are very slick. Crews are working very hard to keep them clear, but the snow is falling about as fast as they can plow it.”

Newton says that intersections can create major concerns for drivers.

While road crews continue to pave the way for drivers, Newton tells viewers intersections are a particular concern.

“The intersections are a major issue,” he says. “When approaching, start slowing down early to avoid sliding.”

One of the most dangerous intersections in the city of Cape Girardeau, Newton says is when heading eastbound on William Street at West End Boulevard.

“There’s a hill leading into the intersection, and despite the city’s best efforts to keep it salted and plowed, it remains slick,” he says. “We’ve worked several crashes there where drivers tried to stop and slid right into the intersection.”

On the interstate, Newton asks drivers to stay with a steady speed while keeping up with the flow of traffic.

“Slowing down is important, but if you’re going 45 mph when it’s not necessary, that can also create a hazard,” he says.

He also suggests against using cruise control in icy conditions.

“I love cruise control, but avoid it in these conditions,” he says. “Bridges and overpasses freeze faster than roadways, and cruise control can make it harder to react to sudden slick spots.”

Newton says if you encounter vehicles with caution tape on the side of the road, know that, the caution shows that officers mark stalled cars after checking them to make sure no one is stranded in a stalled car in these conditions.

“If you see caution tape on a vehicle, that means we’ve already checked it,” he says.