LOCAL NEWS

SKID CONTROL: Trooper shows how to navigate slippery situations

Jan 14, 2023, 2:29 PM

UTAH COUNTY — It’s an all too common sight on the roads during bad winter weather — a driver losing control and skidding, or even spinning out.

When in a skid, it is possible for a driver to regain control, but one driving expert maintains it’s best not to get into that situation in the first place by keeping speeds down when it’s snowing and icy outside.

Utah Highway Patrol Sgt. Nick Napierski teaches other troopers how to drive and pull off a number of different technical maneuvers in their cruisers.

On Thursday — with yet another winter storm expected to hit the Wasatch Front over the weekend — he got into a cruiser with a KSL TV crew on a track in Utah County. Though it was a dry track, the rear tires of the vehicle were configured with specially-made tire skins that helped simulate black ice conditions.

“The biggest mistake that we see is people driving too fast in snowy conditions as they’re too fast and they make a lane change and run over the slush strip that’s between the two lanes where it’s not being traveled,” Napierski explained. “Their vehicle starts to hydroplane, they get put into a skid and some will counter-steer the right direction, but they won’t do it quick enough or put enough steering in. And if you don’t put enough steering in, and then later try to put more steering in to pick up the skid, the back end is going to pass the front end and you’re going to spin out of control.”

Steering hard into the direction of the skid — meaning the direction the rear of the car is going — is easier said than done when caught by surprise by the feeling of a car losing control.

“The steering needs to be aggressive and immediate,” Napierski instructed. “[If the] back of the car starts to break loose, if we steer into it, we can then bring our car back in front of the back and then bring the vehicle to a stop.”

Napierski acknowledged with the specially-configured skins on the rear tires, skid control was a difficult skill to master for anyone, but it was something that the department was putting troopers through to better train them for what they might encounter on wintery roads.

He also said the best practice “even with all the training in the world” was to never put oneself into a situation where navigating out of a skid is necessary.

“High-speed skids are high-consequence skids,” Napierski said. “It can be life or death.”

Napierski urged drivers to respect the conditions they find during winter weather and slow down.

“You have no business doing skid control work on I-15 around other drivers,” Napierski said. “That’s always scary.”

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

Matt Gephardt working with Bona Rose on the CarChex documents....

Matt Gephardt and Sloan Schrage, KSL TV

Get Gephardt: West Valley woman says her extended car warranty claim was denied unfairly

Many drivers buy an extended auto warranty to cover unexpected repair bills. But when a West Valley City woman turned to her warranty provider for major help on her car's transmission, they turned her down - repeatedly.

3 hours ago

Moments before a Salt Lake City woman is hit by a white car in the Avenues....

Eric Cabrera, KSL NewsRadio, Garna Mejia and Michael Houck, KSL TV

Doorbell camera captures another hit-and-run in Salt Lake City

New doorbell camera shows bystanders rushing to save a woman who may be another victim of an alleged serial hit-and-runner.

3 hours ago

A view of the West Temple and 200 South intersection in Salt Lake City....

Michael Houck

A major downtown Salt Lake City intersection will close from April to May

Starting April 1, the West Temple and 200 South intersection will be closed as crews replace natural gas lines.

5 hours ago

Researchers gathered in a Weber State University room for a Air Quality Summit....

Mike Anderson

Air Quality Summit puts focus on Utah air pollution and solutions

Many of the researchers who study Utah's air pollution problems are sharing what they've found while working to find solutions during Thursday's Air Quality Summit.

6 hours ago

Keith Stebbings (right) confronting Loren Richardson (left) after Richardson allegedly entered his ...

Shelby Lofton

‘He wasn’t intending to hurt anybody’: Brighton homeowner attorney says snowboarder confrontation was a misunderstanding

The Brighton man armed with a gun while confronting a snowboarder in a viral video is now facing criminal charges. But his attorney says he had the right to protect his property.

7 hours ago

Follow @KSL5TVLike us on Facebook...

Eliza Pace

VIDEO: Watch the moment a UHP trooper stops a 12-year-old driving on the freeway

Utah Highway Patrol responded to a call of a reckless driver. They didn't know until after they stopped the car that it was a 12-year-old driver.

8 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

SKID CONTROL: Trooper shows how to navigate slippery situations