LEWISTON – Lewiston police are urging drivers to use extra caution and “inch out” into intersections with high snow banks.

The Feb. 14 blizzard has left some Lewiston streets, especially downtown, with high snow banks.

The high piles mean drivers need to exercise extra caution when pulling out, Lewiston Police Department Sgt. Jeffrey Parshall said Saturday.

Some motorists are pulling out even when they don’t have a clear view, he said.

“They’ll say, ‘I think it’s clear.’ That doesn’t work. If you can’t see, don’t pull out.”

When high banks makes visibility tough, police recommend motorists inch out slowly until the view is clear. Inching out slowly is better than pulling out, Parshall said, because proceeding slowly makes it easier to stop and avoid a crash.

“I had a near miss last night on my way home,” Parshall said. “At College and Bartlett streets, a woman just pulled out. I had to break to avoid her.”

With little snow this winter until last week, some motorists seem to have forgotten how to drive in snow, Parshall said. “It happens every year.”

– Bonnie Washuk