WHP: Slow down on icy, snowy roads

Sheila McGuire, Herald Reporter
Posted 1/23/18

WPH Lt. Arnell talks about winter driving safety at chamber luncheon

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WHP: Slow down on icy, snowy roads

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EVANSTON — Wyoming Highway Patrol Lt. Matt Arnell was the featured speaker at the January Chamber of Commerce Luncheon held at Suds Brothers on Thursday, Jan. 11. Arnell spoke to attendees about winter driving safety and road closures, and answered questions about general driving safety and the WHP. 

Arnell said the number one thing that people should do when driving in the winter is slow down. “We all know that, it’s common sense,” he said, “but it’s amazing how many people can’t seem to figure that out.” The primary cause of accidents in the winter is people driving too fast for road conditions. 

Arnell also recommended that everyone carry a winter kit in their cars containing food, water and blankets, just in case. 

Road closures were also discussed. Arnell said there are actually two types of closures. “Hard” closures are called when there’s a crash or snow or any other type of hazard that is blocking the road making it impassable. “We don’t let anybody through then because there are plows or tow trucks or emergency vehicles that need to be out there and that are sometimes driving the wrong direction to try to get the road cleared.” 

“Soft” road closures are often done because of traffic back-ups if the road is closed east of town, resulting in too much traffic being stopped in Laramie, Rawlins or Rock Springs. On those occasions, the sun may even be shining in Evanston, but eastbound traffic is still stopped here because of traffic conditions in the eastern part of the state. Arnell said when it’s a “soft” closure WHP will allow local traffic to go through so that people only going to the Bridger Valley, for example, can reach their destinations. 

Road closures are one of Arnell’s least favorite parts of the job, he said. “Everybody is upset and there are lots of grumpy people. Troopers have to answer the same questions all day, out in the cold, and then they get grumpy too,” said Arnell. “We’d rather be in a gun fight than close the roads.” 

When asked how drivers could get information on whether a closure is a “hard” or “soft” closure, Arnell said they try to get information posted on the Wyoming Department of Transportation website, “but sometimes that’s like playing a game of telephone because we have to call over to Cheyenne to get it on the site and then the information goes through several different people, so what is said on our end isn’t always what ends up over there.” 

Those in attendance had lots of questions for Arnell about driving and WHP duties. He said currently there are seven troopers in this area, in what is actually a 12-man division. Statewide budget cuts have hit WHP hard, like many other agencies in the state. 

Arnell said it’s difficult hiring and retaining people for the job because it’s hard work and people can make more money elsewhere. Statewide WHP is allotted 212 employees, with about 170 road troopers, but currently they’re down around 30 troopers. “We keep a tight relationship with the sheriff’s office and police department to help with being short-staffed,” he said.

Many questions were related to I-80 and the amount of traffic, and truck traffic in particular. Arnell said the last time a count was done there were approximately 8000 semi-trucks a day going through on I-80, but that was around six years ago and he would guess that number has probably doubled. 

Drug trafficking on I-80 was also part of the discussion. Arnell said the interstate is a known drug corridor and seasoned troopers have learned certain indicators to look for that may signal someone is transporting drugs. “One of the biggest things is that quite often their stories just don’t make any sense,” he said. 

The K-9 dogs are excellent at finding drugs, he said, explaining that the dogs have a minimum of 16 hours of training each month. 

While driving too fast for conditions is the biggest problem in the winter, the primary summertime problem, said Arnell, is distracted driving. He said summertime crashes are typically more violent and there are more fatalities. 

“I’m a huge believer in seatbelts,” said Arnell. “I can’t stress this enough — they work.” As for what to do if in an accident, Arnell stressed that individuals should stay in their cars. “There’s no protection if you get out.” 

When asked about the worst part of his job, Arnell jokingly responded, “working the road-closed gates.” However, in a serious turn, he said working crashes was the worst, especially those involving young people. “Having to make notifications to parents is horrible. It’s rough and I really try to drive this home to high school kids. That’s the worst part of this job right there.”