Use extra caution when on these Yates roads

YATES COUNTY—Ice and snow can make any road dangerous for drivers, but do you know which roads in Yates County have the most winter accidents?
Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike said between Dec. 1, 2009, one Feb. 28, 2010, the department investigated 325 accidents countywide. He said that 112 of those were car-deer accidents.
According to the Yates sheriff, the roads with the most accidents last winter were:
• State Route 14A with 24 accidents.
• Pre-Emption Road (Benton) with 20 accidents.
• State Route 14 with 13 accidents.
• State Route 364 with 10 accidents.
• State Route 54 and County House Road with seven accidents each.
Last week there was a fatal accident on 14A that resulted in one Dundee man dying and a Penn Yan man going to the hospital. That same day, Dec. 1, Spike said the sheriff’s department investigated 10 weather related accidents.
According to the New York State Department of Transportation, some of the most important tips for safe winter driving include:
• Never follow a snowplow too closely or attempt to pass one. Remember that the highway ahead of the plow is usually snow-covered;
• During a winter storm, drivers will encounter snow- and ice-covered roads even when plows are operating. Drivers must exercise extreme care and diligence while traveling during winter weather;
• Adjust speed for road conditions and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles;
• Schedule extra time for winter travel and be patient during ice and snow removal operations;
• Assume that bridge surfaces are slippery, as they freeze more quickly than road surfaces;
• Have a cell phone handy, if possible;
• Never venture from your vehicle if snowbound;
• Equip your car with emergency supplies including sand, shovel, flares, booster cables, rope, ice scraper, portable radio, flashlight, and extra warm clothes;
• Inform a responsible person of your destination, intended route, and estimated time of arrival; and
• Keep calm and do not panic in case of a vehicle breakdown, accident, or if you become snowbound.