Every winter in Camas brings weather conditions that are not ideal for driving, and 2021 appears to be no different. As the year rolls into 2022, students and bus drivers at Camas High School (CHS) face multiple forecast predictions for snow, ice, and plenty of rain, perhaps more than the past few years. 

The forecast for December is mostly rainy with the occasional partly sunny day. Some snow may be possible from Dec. 12-18 (as of Nov. 19, 2021).

For people who ride the bus, the Camas School District Transportation Department has procedures in place in case of unexpected snow or ice.

Buses that pick up students from elevations of 1,200 and higher have an alternate route they revert to when a chance of snow is present. Students are informed online or on paper about their snow routes. If bad weather is predicted one day, a phone call may alert students about whether they will be using snow routes. 

For students who first began driving to school this fall, winter will be a new learning curve.

Sophomore Maddy Webb said, “I’m kind of worried that it’s going to be hard to get to school, especially when it snows. People are reckless drivers already, and I feel like there’s going to be a lot more accidents.”

Regardless of experience or not, vehicle maintenance is a crucial part of preventing accidents. Hydroplaning can occur often if a car’s wheels are worn-down, making it lose traction and go out of control.

Junior Erik Danielson recounts a moment where this happened to him.

“I was driving at 8 p.m. home from work in the rain when my tire popped due to it being very old. I was getting new tires three days later, and then I spun out. It felt like it wasn’t real and more like a dream,” he said.

“I have learned to obviously take better care of my vehicle, but also to drive a lot safer in the rain. And go slow.”

CSD bus driver Lorna Overton agrees. “All of us are in too big of a hurry, and that’s when we make poor choices. There’s a fine line between, ‘I really need to get someplace, but I also need to be cautious. I think it applies to everyone who’s driving.”

Overall, the most important part of driving in winter weather is paying attention to what is happening on the road.

“It doesn’t matter whether you’re an experienced or new driver, weather can change everything. The hardest part about most new drivers is they’re overconfident,” said Overton. “I also think that people who’ve been driving a long time become complacent, because we’ve handled it before and we think we can handle it again. And we might not.”

There have already been several accidents in the Camas area, some of the student drivers, with perfectly fine weather. With the relentless rain and slicker roads, the chance of being involved in one only gets higher. Taking the time to change old tires, slowing down, and being on alert while driving appears to be the best ways in minimizing those collisions.