This file photo of a vehicle crash on U.S. 41 in Marquette Township shows what can happen when driving in poor weather conditions. Officials are reminding drivers to be safe on the roads during the holiday travel season. (Journal file photo)

MARQUETTE– “Snow-covered and slippery.” The phrase seems to commonly be used to describe Upper Peninsula roads from Halloween to Easter. And then comes another common utterance “It’s fine. I have four-wheel drive and good winter tires.”

Experts say there is no technology, no type of vehicle or tire that ensures safe travel on any type of icy road at any speed. And all cars are at greater risk at 45 miles per hour and above.

The idea that vehicles with four-wheel drive, good tires and traction control make drivers impervious to icy road hazards is a dangerous one, Michigan State Police Trooper Stacey Rasanen said during a Monday phone interview.

“Everybody thinks their vehicle, if it’s a four-wheel drive, is going to stick to the road. But if it slides, a driver can lose control — just like any other vehicle,” Rasanen said.

Drivers tend to forget winter driving strategies during the summer months, she said, including following distance. Some drivers fail to add enough distance between vehicles in case a sudden stop becomes necessary, which becomes even more important at intersections during colder months.

The rule of thumb, according to the MSP website, is to allow no less than two seconds between vehicles during the daytime, three seconds at night and four seconds or more during inclement weather such as rain, snow or icy conditions. Also, leave no less than a car length between you and the car in front of you at an intersection.

Another issue for drivers in inclement weather is the use of headlights, Rasanen said.

MSP statistics show that driving with your headlights on at all times — even on bright sunny days — can reduce the chances of being involved in a collision by as much as 32 percent.

“Turning on your headlights lets other drivers see you first; because the human eye is light-seeking, drivers, pedestrians and cyclists will see an oncoming car sooner and be less likely to pull into its path,” the site states.

Rasanen said drivers should always turn on their headlights in critical situations including dawn, dusk and inclement weather.

“I don’t know if it’s vehicles that are supposed to be turning lights on automatically, or what, but I commonly see drivers in a snow or rainstorm, or even in the fog without headlights,” Rasanen said. “That is very dangerous; they need to turn their lights on.”

On the subject of lights, a new state law that takes effect in mid-February mandates that motorists slow by 10 mph below the posted speed limit, and, if possible move over a lane when passing a police or emergency vehicle on the side of the road, Rasanen said.

Another MSP tip: slow down.

Of the 847 fatal traffic crashes statewide in 2017, 19 percent, or 161, were attributed to excessive speed, a Michigan Traffic Crash Facts report states.

For drivers that are lucky enough to survive a crash, speeding could hold legal consequences.

“If the speed limit is 55 miles per hour and you are going over 55 miles an hour and get into an accident, you lose your right-of-way,” Rasanen said. “Most new cars have a digital speed recorder, and if its a serious enough accident, we will pull that recorder during our investigation and know how fast you were going.”

She said the best practice is whenever possible to adhere to the posted speed limit, but don’t force yourself to go faster than weather may allow.

“You have to drive the speed according to the conditions that are in front of you,” Rasanen said. “And if you don’t have to go out, don’t.”

Drivers can check the MiDrive tool at mdotjboss.state.mi.us/MiDrive/map to plan their route, Rasanen said.

“Using the MI Drive site would be a good first step­­ because you can click on that on the cameras that are on your route to see what the road conditions are,” Rasanen said. “That way, it’s not going to be a shock if roads are snow-covered and slippery. And if they are, maybe you can pick an alternative route based on conditions.”

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242.