Although we experienced an incredible fall and the weather was much better than last fall, our seasons are changing rapidly as we enter winter. Our first winter rain and snow event always creates driving conditions we haven't seen in months and seems to cause problems on our roads. We would like to take this opportunity to remind readers to revisit winter driving skills and precautions that we may have forgotten in the past few months. As we enter the winter driving season, the Cass County Sheriff’s Office and the Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (a department of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety) provide the following tips.

Some things to consider before driving:

Check the current road conditions. Please visit www.Mn511.org for the latest information. If you have a smartphone, their mobile app can provide excellent information and can even provide images of webcam and snowplow views to see real-time images of road conditions.

Use the radio to tune to a station that regularly broadcasts weather warnings, traffic reports and instructions.

Assemble an emergency kit and keep it in the car throughout the season.

Leave the essentials in the car. Include a paper route map (even if you have a GPS), a mobile phone with a charger, a shovel, a windshield scraper, a towing rope, a booster cable and a reflector, or a brightly colored cloth used as a distress signal. If stuck in snow or ice, you can also include a bag of sand/salt or non-clumping cat litter and place it under the tire.

For long-distance travel, tell someone where you are going, the route you plan to travel, and when you expect to return. When you arrive at your destination, call to report that you have arrived.

Stay on the designated road or take a detour. Avoid "shortcuts" on major highways, as these may not be farmed or patrolled. Usually, GPS devices will arrange routes for passengers based on the shortest possible trip, using forest roads, logging and even snowmobile trails. Make sure you understand the routes you are drawing and that these routes are actually navigable roads.

Fill up your gas tank before leaving the town. When traveling, often stop to refill the fuel tank.

Be able to see and be seen-remove frost and snow from all windows, mirrors, lights and reflectors. Equip your car with good wiper blades and maintain a sufficient supply of windshield washer fluid. If visibility is poor, use headlights! Take time to properly heat the vehicle and melt the snow and ice on the windows. Take some time to clear the snow from the headlights, taillights, and vehicle corners.

Related: Sheriff's Corner: Crashes are increasing across the country

For drivers who witness or are involved in emergency situations, mobile phones are a valuable tool. Mobile phone users on the road must provide specific information about the emergency to the dispatcher. Cellular 911 calls are routed to public safety answering points operated by state or local agencies. Although newer phones can now provide approximate locations or have GPS and callback numbers, callers may need to provide accurate locations when dialing 911. Please take the time to answer the dispatcher’s questions and provide them with as much information as possible. If the call is transferred to the Minnesota State Patrol, please wait patiently and stay online to talk to the appropriate dispatch center and share information.

It is especially important to be cautious and patient with snowplows. The driving speed of the snow blower is much slower than the published speed because it is the most effective for clearing the road. The driver’s field of vision is severely restricted behind the truck, and the driver must rely on the rearview mirror to see the rear and sides of the truck. The Minnesota Department of Transportation requires us to remember:

Please be patient and remember that the snowplow is working hard to improve the road conditions on your travels.

Keep a distance of at least 10 vehicles between your vehicle and the plow, and keep away from snow clouds. The operator of the snowplow will pull over when it is safe to let the congested traffic pass through.

Be alert to snowplows that frequently turn or exit, and often have little warning. They may also cross the center line or partially drive in traffic to further improve road conditions.

Slow down to a safe speed under current conditions. Snow blowers usually move at a slower speed.

Fasten the seat belt and ensure that the child is properly secured in the correct child restraint device.

If the road conditions are too bad, please avoid unnecessary travel.

Related: Sheriff's Corner: Now is the time to talk about school bus safety

Although our dispatch center can help report collisions or traffic incidents, we don't always have access or know the latest road conditions, because the situation changes quickly from one end of the county to the other. We will ask people to use weather apps, the Internet, radio stations, etc. to get their weather information, and know that calling us to get some of this information may prevent callers in emergency situations from getting the quick help they need. Travel safely this winter!