Invincible? Think again Published Feb. 24, 2011 By Airman Samuel Anderson 366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- Although the winter season is coming to an end, drivers still need to ensure they do not become apathetic about their driving habits. In the last ten years, 366th Fighter Wing Airmen suffered more than 80 serious accidents. Of those, 25 occurred on Interstate 84 between Mountain Home and Boise. Of the 25, eight of the accidents were due to ice or snow covered roads, with two accidents resulting in fatalities. According to Tech Sgt. Maxwell Tinsley, 366th FW safety technician, drivers need to use caution while driving to Boise - especially between mile markers 60 and 80 - in inclement weather. "From leaving Mountain Home to Boise, we go up in elevation about 500 to 700 feet," he said. "If you notice, when you're headed to Boise, sometimes it can be sunny here, and when you're about halfway there it starts snowing or raining then it's clear for about two miles because you hit the peak of that elevation and then you go back down. A lot of our accidents happen because people are getting into this area too fast and are not aware of their situation." Lt. Col. Ainsworth O'Reilly, 366th FW chief of safety, agrees. "The Idaho Department of Transportation people call that section, between mile markers 60 and 80, a microclimate," he said. "There are a couple of other microclimates in Idaho on I-84, where they realize the conditions can be much worse than anywhere else." Airmen should prepare themselves for long trips and ensure their vehicle is in good condition. "Check tire pressure," said Sergeant Tinsley. "Tire pressure has a big thing to do with your car staying on the road. If your tires are over-inflated the middle will begin to wear down which keeps your car unbalanced. If they are under-inflated, it wears on the edges. So check your tire pressure. Do normal inspections on your car." Another risk factor is the amount of experience the driver has. "A lot of people don't know how to drive in these conditions," said Sergeant Tinsley. "There are quite a few people from the climates of Florida and Southern California who don't drive for the road conditions of Idaho. They think they can drive the same way on I-84 as they can on I-5 in California." Sergeant Tinsley said Airmen should be aware of when the road surface changes between asphalt and concrete as this significantly affects road conditions. He said the difference in elevation will also have a high impact on the condition of the road." According to howtodothings.com, a road that may look wet could be slippery. During conditions where the road is slick, there might be patches of black ice. Black ice can develop when snow melts, refreezes and creates the illusion that the road is dry or just slick from water. Temperatures do not need to be below freezing for black ice to develop. The site also offers driving tips: - As soon as your car begins to slide on black ice, take your foot off the gas pedal - Do not slam on the brakes - Look for trouble spots ahead - Leave plenty of room between your car and the other cars on the road - Don't think you are invincible just because you drive a truck or a sport utility vehicle Colonel O'Reilly has words of wisdom for those who like to push the envelope on the road. "We've had a vast number of accidents, not only on I-84, but other parts of town - even on base," he said. "Bottom line is everyone needs to slow down. You are not invincible." For information on up-to-date road conditions, visit 511.idaho.gov.