Winter Driving Tips
As we get ready for winter driving, here are a few tips to keep in mind to keep your trips safe.
IS THIS TRIP REALLY NECESSARY?
Any safe winter travel starts with a bit of prior planning:
1. Is your vehicle ready?
Did you follow your manufacturer's recommendations regarding operating systems, fluids, and care? How about other winter specific needs like tire chains, a shovel, or the regular emergency breakdown essentials like blankets, flashlights, flares/reflectors, etc? 2. Are you ready for your vehicle?
Do you know how your vehicle will handle in adverse weather? Drive very defensively, anticipate well ahead, and stay off the brake when you can.
3. Do people know what you are doing? Whenever you travel in winter weather, let someone know where you are going, how you are going to get there, when you should arrive, and any emergency pre-plans. Keep your "safety" contact informed of any deviations from the plan and always check in when you arrive. 
SOME WINTER EXTRAS
As a reminder, like bundling up in added layers of clothing, here are a few items to add to your vehicle's emergency supplies for winter travel:
-Tire chains that fit (practice putting them on if you can)
-Snow shovel (full sized or collapsible)
-Airtight container of ice melter (plastic coffee can works well)
-Leather or work gloves, spare warm gloves/mittens, plus consider extra warm clothing.
-Small tarp or closed foam pad (to lie down on the snow without getting too wet)
-Blankets or sleeping bags
-Water
-Emergency food (don't snack on it as you drive, its for emergencies).
-Flashlights with fresh batteries
-Cell phone car charger. Keep your cell phone plugged in unless its an emergency
PLAN AND LET SOMEONE KNOW
Plan ahead, stick to your plan, and let somebody know what you are doing. Especially if traveling when winter conditions are forecast, stick to main highways and roads where possible. Finally, make sure you call your contact to let them know you've arrived safely. Just as important, before setting off make sure your contact knows what to do if they do not hear from you by your estimated time of arrival.
TAKE YOUR TIME
Whether due to weather or backed up traffic, count on at least double the time to reach your destination as you would take in non-winter conditions. Take it nice, easy, slow, and anticipate well ahead of time when accelerating, braking, turning, or otherwise changing the direction or movement of your vehicle.
KEEP INFORMED
Check the weather forecasts prior to leaving, and stay tuned to a station that has weather information if traveling any distance in winter conditions, especially if they are forecast to worsen as you go. Keep alert for signs that tell you to tune into a radio channel to get localized weather advisory information. Especially in the dark, if conditions worsen to the point where you are having trouble seeing or staying on the road, it may be advisable to find lodging for the evening and give it another go in the morning.
Most importantly, HEED ALL WARNINGS. If a roadway is closed DO NOT attempt to travel on it regardless of how you are equipped or how experienced you are in driving in adverse conditions. Roadways are closed because travel on them has reached such a hazardous level that it is dangerous for emergency responders to attempt.
WHAT IF I BREAK DOWN?
If the unforeseen happens and you either break down or find yourself unable to proceed, there are two main issues that you will need to address sooner than later:
-BE SEEN
Put out a flare behind your vehicle, put up your reflective triangles, tie something bright and reflective onto your antenna, do whatever you can to be seen by other traffic and any potential rescuers. If you can run your vehicle intermittently, keep your emergency flashers on while your vehicle is running.
-FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG
Decide early on whether your problem is mechanical or environmental. Unless you know how to fix a mechanical problem with your vehicle, don't waste your time. If you are simply stuck in the snow you may have the ability to dig yourself out, put on chains, or otherwise take measures to get yourself going again.
-ALERT SOMEBODY THAT YOU NEED HELP
If you have cell reception, being stranded in extreme winter conditions with a non-functioning vehicle is a life threatening situation; call 911 for assistance. If your vehicle runs but you are stuck, call non-emergency. If you do not have cell reception, you will need to be able to take care of your situation until your contact person initiates an emergency response to find you because you have not arrived as anticipated.
-STAY PUT AND STAY WARM
If you cannot move your vehicle, in most circumstances, you are better off staying with it and sheltering in place even if your vehicle is not running. If your vehicle does run, as a rule of thumb turn on the motor for 10 minutes for every hour you are stuck. If you are forced to leave your vehicle, make sure to leave a prominent note in it as to who you are, who is with you, and what direction you intend to travel. Stay on or near the roadway and be visible.
|