LETTER: Be careful when driving in the Alaska winter

To the editor:

Anyone Who Is Licensed To Drive in Alaska" Puh—lease heed a bit of advice from a once newly licensed 16 year old, whom went into the mall with no snow and emerged to find ...just a few inches of snow. Demolish Derby with a huge white Ford and my S-10 Chevy (aka "Super Truck to the Rescue!! I named it post wreck) Within THREE blocks I slid a tiny bit when going around a corner.I freaked out and stomped the brake pedal. Duh. We got T-boned so bad that upon impact my passenger and I hit heads & it knocked him out cold. Called my mother. She asked if anyone was injured. I said "No" The truck isn't drivable. "Find your own ride home, I'm busy right now." Ouch! Tow truck drivers are in heaven, ambulances are exhausted the first 2 days after our 1st snowfall. Heed this advice- I haven't missed doing this in over 20 years. The first time you take your vehicle out go find an empty parking lot and practice slamming on your brakes. Start sliding and practice how to direct your steering wheel. If you cannot slow down in time for a stop light don't spaz out- Nail your horn repeatedly and flash your brights on and off. One last thing: Be VERY appreciative to the strangers that help you out. Don't be one of those drivers that ignore someone in need. Don't assume they already have help on the way.

— Lindsay (Marsh) Berke

Anchorage