With freezing rain and sleet possible Tuesday night and Wednesday, the St. Lawrence County Traffic Safety Program is reminding drivers to share the road safely.

According to the New York State Department of Health, 70 percent of winter storm-related injuries and fatalities are the result of vehicle crashes. They issue the following reminders to motorists:

• Do not drive in bad weather unless it is truly necessary. Check road conditions on the 511 NY website or by calling the toll free access number at 888-GO511NY (888-465-1169). If you have to be out, make sure someone knows your route and timetable. If you are out when a storm begins, get off the road as soon as possible to avoid being stranded.

• Remove snow and ice from your vehicle as it helps to see and be seen.

• Warm up your vehicle to reduce moisture condensing on the inside of the windows.

Use extra care due to a possible reduction in tire traction from snow and ice as well as poor visibility.

• Stay buckled and slow down. Posted speed limits are for ideal travel conditions. Lengthen the following distance; the stopping distance may be double that on a dry road. Steel and concrete bridges are likely to be icy first as they cool down faster.

• Be alert for black ice: it appears as shiny new asphalt; pavement should look grey-white in winter.

• Do not use cruise control - you must be in full control at all times.

• Include in your winter driving kit bags of sand or cat litter, snowbrush and ice scraper, booster cables, warning devices, warm clothing and blankets and emergency food and water.

• If your car becomes stranded, stay in the vehicle. Run the motor about 10 minutes each hour. Make sure the exhaust pipe is not blocked. Be visible to rescuers. Move arms and legs to keep blood circulating.

Additionally, the traffic safety program reminds motorists: “Don’t crowd the plow.” While the road behind an active plow is the safest place to drive, motorists need to give snow removal equipment plenty of room to work.

Snowplows and sanders, like other large vehicles, have large blind spots alongside and behind them. The rule of thumb is that if you can’t see the snowplow operator in their mirrors, the driver can’t see you.

Plows may kick up a cloud of snow and ice that make it impossible to see road hazards. Also, staying well back from plow trucks and sanders will help prevent de-icing materials from hitting your vehicle. Remember that plows need room to make wide turns and/or to back up.

If children are at home for the day, they should not be allowed to play near the edge of the road. Children climbing on roadside snow banks are difficult for drivers to see. They could slip into the path of an oncoming vehicle, or be pushed or buried by the weight of the snow coming off a plow.

Finally, New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law prohibits plowing, shoveling, or blowing snow into a street or highway. Fines for a first offense include up to a $150 fine and/or 15 days in jail, plus applicable surcharges.