Whether or not you've
been informed by a little groundhog to expect an
additional six weeks of winter, you probably view winter
as a tough season all around. Most of us, at one
time or another, have experienced firsthand or saw news
coverage of winter storms bringing cities and counties
to a virtual standstill. Whether you live in a
winter weather state or are just visiting, snow and
other winter weather can drastically effect your ability
to get around and keep to your plans. Learning
some basic driving safety measures and coping tips can
help alleviate some of the aggravation. Although
varying by state, understanding winter related laws or
ways laws are interpreted to include winter conditions
is vital to enjoying a safe winter. In this
article you'll find safety information that we hope will
be useful and that will keep you safe and warm this
winter.
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Winter Driving Safety & Tips
Winter Inspection: Prepare you
car ahead of time for winter road conditions. Check the levels
of antifreeze, oil and wiper fluid. Examine your windshield
wipers for wear and replace them if necessary.
Got Wheels? Review your tire
tread. If you get snow tires or studs, get your appointment
scheduled before the tire stores are inundated. If you are in
a state where you may use chains or cables, inspect these when you
pull them out of storage. Take time to review how to put them
on before the snow comes.
Journey Prep: Before driving
out into a winter wonderland, make sure you are prepared.
Clear you car of any snow and ice so you can see clearly - this
includes any snow around your headlights and break lights. How
much gas is in the tank? If you are getting low, plan your
route to make this your first stop. Stop and consider your
physical condition, are you awake and alert?
WEK: Don't be weak - have an
Winter Emergency Kit! Some items to include in your kit are:
First Aid Kit
Travel Tool Kit
Blankets
Gloves, Hat,
Scarf, Sweatshirt, etc.
Jumper Cables
Flashlight and
Spare Batteries
Road Flares
Matches
Sand and/or Salt
Ice Scraper and
Snow Brush
Small Shovel
Water
Energy Bars or
Other High Calorie Foods (Nonperishable)
Cell Phone and
Charger
Dress for Success: As we hop
from one heated building to the next, we don't often consider how we
are dressed for the winter weather. Adjust your wardrobe for
unexpected winter weather. If you insist on traveling in the
car in flip flops because the are comfy, make sure you pack thick socks and hiking boots
in the back seat in case your car does break down.
Dress in layers and have spare gloves, a hat, and a scarf in the car.
Know before you go! Check
for road condition updates and possible closures. Before
driving in winter weather make certain to check the local forecast. Some of the key weather words are:
S-L-O-W: Everything slows down:
accelerate slower, brake slowly, turn slowly, and travel at slower
speeds. Enter the time warp willingly and keep your patience
and wits about you. Trying to rush through anything during
poor winter weather is the number one reason people slide off roads
or skid into other cars.
Personal Bubble: Allow those
around you plenty of space. Do not crowd other cars
and increase the car lengths between you and the next car.
It's Ice Ice Baby! If there is
ice rain the best option is not to be on the road period.
But there are other patches of ice and black ice that may pop up
when you consider the roads drivable again. Keep in mind that
ice forms quickest on bridges and overpasses. Also, as the
temperatures begin to rise the thawing ice will be much slicker as
it melts. If you see the ice ahead of time keep your speed
slow. DO NOT hit the breaks! If you suddenly can't hear the road, often the case if
you hit black ice, continue forward and take your foot off the
accelerator. DO NOT hit the breaks!
Look Up! Many times the
winter weather makes us concentrate on the road in front of us so
much that
we forget to look ahead. During this weather is exactly when
you should be looking up and ahead; look farther then you may
normally. This will give you more time to react to possible
sliding cars or hazards in front of you.
Keep it on Main Street: Plan
your routes on main roads. These will be traveled
more and are the first to be cleared and sanded.
Share the Road: Give plows and
sanders plenty of space. Three car lengths is the standard
suggestion. Be patient, many will get over to let traffic
pass. Always pass with extreme caution and never pass them on
the right as that is where all the sludge is going!
Double Your Time: As a general
rule, double your travel time for all your commutes and usual
destinations.
Tell Your Peeps: Let others
know of your travel plans - especially for long distances or
during a weather event. Let either family or friends know
where your are going and the route you expect to take.
No Cruising: As you shouldn't
in heavy rain, do not use cruise control on winter roads. If
you begin to slide you may not be able to get out of cruise control
quickly. Also, depending on the slide/skid, tapping the break
may be the last thing you should do!
Find Your Pack: Have a commute
group for severe weather. You can alternate drivers as you
battle the extra stress and fatigue of driving in bad weather.
Encourage it in your community and this can help keep more cars
off the road.
Think Outside Your Car:
Consider other modes of transportation altogether. If
available, consider the bus or train. Get really inventive -
do you like to cross country ski? Just stay on the sidewalk!
Flex Time: Check to see if you
employer will let you change your hours or work from home.
Wait until the plows have had a chance to move through the
neighborhood and go in late. Or plug in the computer and work
in your PJs and fuzzy slippers.
The Great Melt: Still be
cautious after the snow begins to melt away. Puddles can
easily be hiding monster potholes that grew under the ice during the
storm. Not only jarring these can do some real damage to your
car. Besides potholes, be careful of hydroplaning as well.
As the water melts it may be caught between mounds of slush leaving
the perfect amount of water to send your tires for a little ride.
If the Worst Happens: "If a
blizzard traps you in your car, pull off the road, set hazard lights
to flashing, and hang a distress flag from the radio aerial or
window. Remain in your vehicle; rescuers are most likely to find you
there. Conserve fuel, but run the engine and heater about ten
minutes each hour to keep warm, cracking a downwind window slightly
to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Exercise to maintain body heat
but don't overexert. Huddle with other passengers and use your coat
for a blanket. In extreme cold use road maps, seat covers, floor
mats, newspapers or extra clothing for covering--anything to provide
additional insulation and warmth. Turn on the inside dome light so
rescue teams can see you at night, but be careful not to run the
battery down. In remote areas, spread a large cloth over the snow to
attract the attention of rescue planes. Do not set out on foot
unless you see a building close by where you know you can take
shelter. Once the blizzard is over, you may need to leave the car
and proceed on foot. Follow the road if possible. If you need to
walk across open country, use distant points as landmarks to help
maintain your sense of direction." (Tips
provided by FEMA)
Legal Concerns
The Car Snowball: When your car
is covered with snow it makes for safer driving if you clear all the
snow off - but are you required to legally? Technically, in
most states, there is not a "snow on the car" law. Instead,
other laws may be interpreted to include snow. Be safe and get
your car uncovered completely so you can clearly see around you and
don't inadvertently cause hazards.
In many states you can be cited if
your windshield, rear window and windows are obstructed so you
cannot see the road. This is often interpreted to include
snow, ice and fog that disrupt the drivers view.
How about the snow on your roof or
hood that you left there? In many states you will not be cited
for this alone, however, if this snow flies off and damages another
car (i.e. smacks into and cracks the windshield of the car behind
you) then you are liable for any damages.
Some states are clever and cite snow falling from your car as
littering!
While you are at it, make sure to
clear any snow from your headlights and break lights. This not
only helps you light your path, but no doing so may be a citation waiting
to happen in some states.
Snow tires, studs, and
chains, oh my!
SNOW TIRES: Standard in many snowy states usually there are not penalties for having these tires on past a certain date. Check
with your local tire stores as they will often store your summer
tires during the winter season and vice versa.
STUDDED TIRES: States that allow these tires for winter travel often
have a set timeline when they may be used (i.e. In Alaska they may
be on by September 15th and are due off by May 1st - most states in
the lower 48 will have a shorter time allotment). This
information can be found at your state Department of Transportation
website (see list to the right)
CHAINS: Especially if traveling in mountainous states, learn if
chains are often required, make sure you have them and learn how to
put them on before you go. Some flat states also allow
chains under certain conditions. Check with your state
Department of Transportation for specific requirements or
limitations. The following YouTube video illustrates how to put on cable
style chains. It is sponsored by the Oregon Department of Transportation
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8RVbDuyOcY):
SAFE
WINTER DRIVING!
Check out your State Department of
Transportation website for state-specific information:
