Winter Driving Preparations

WINTER IS HERE.

Winter is quickly approaching. That means cold winds and the possibility (or probability depending on where you live) of rain, sleet, ice, and snow. If you drive to work each day, you will at some point find yourself driving in this muck. We need to follow the Boy Scout motto and: Be Prepared.

To help you make it safely through winter, here are some suggestions from the National Safety Council to make sure that you and your vehicle are prepared.

Weather: Monitor weather forecasts. Knowing what the weather will be is the first, and one of the most, important ways to prepare. Listen to the TV, radio or cable weather channel, check the Web or daily papers.

Car: Prepare your car ahead of time by checking:

Ignition, brakes, wiring, hoses, fan belts and wiper blades
Spark plugs
Air, fuel and emission filters, and the PVC valve
Inspect the distributor
Battery
Tires for air, sidewall wear and tread depth
Spare tire
Antifreeze levels and the freeze line
Know how to change a flat-practice while the weather is warm
Keep the fuel tank above 1/2 full at all times

Equipment: Carry the following items with you in your trunk:

Properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench, jack and air gauge
Shovel
Jumper cables
Tow rope and tire chains
Bag of salt or cat litter (for ice)
Tool kit

Essential Supplies: Keep a "survival kit" in the car year around:

(You can purchase road kits that contain some of these items)

Working flashlight with extra batteries
Reflective triangles and brightly-colored cloth
Compass
First aid kit
Exterior windshield cleaner
Ice scraper and snow brush
Wooden stick matches in a waterproof container
Scissors and string/cord
Non-perishable, high-energy foods like unsalted canned nuts, dried fruit, and hard candy, bottled water
Other foods: saltine crackers, peanut butter, or peanut butter/cheese cracker and plastic utensils
Extra change of clothing, including toiletry items
Blanket/sleeping bag
Extra hat, gloves, jacket, waterproof outerwear
Coffee can and candle that will fit inside

Driving Tips: Be prepared: watch your driving and be mindful of how others are driving

Slow down: gives you more time to react. Extra patience and care for other drivers
Extra space: allows for more room between yourself and other vehicles
Steering wheel: hold wheel firmly avoiding sudden, jerky movements
Accelerate and brake slowly
Brake lightly: DO NOT slam on your brakes-this can cause skidding. Pump brakes lightly if you have standard brakes, apply steady pressure if you have ABS brakes.
Lights: use headlights on dim
Do not use cruise control
Obey all road signs
4-wheel drive vehicles are NOT always better-especially on ice
Stranded or stuck: Stay in your vehicle if you can not see a close place to seek assistance.

Additional Tips:

Let someone know where you are going: give departure times, routes, and expected arrival times
Carry cell phones or other means of communication with you at all times
If at all possible, wait until daylight to leave, also wait until road crews have cleared roadways
Rearrange your schedule if at all possible-don’t take chances
If you become stranded:

Stay with your vehicle unless you know exactly where you are, how far it is to possible help, and are certain you will improve your situation
Attract attention, light two flares and place one at each end of the car a safe distance away. Hang a brightly colored cloth from your antenna
Keep window open slightly for ventilation
Keep exhaust pipes clear to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning
Run your car engine for 10 minutes each hour
Burning a candle in the coffee can will keep the chill down (make sure the window is down slightly for ventilation!)
Keep moving and bundle up

Make arrangements ahead of time with friends and/or family in other towns that you travel to so you will have places to stay if necessary
Keep phone numbers and addresses of friends and family with you

Each and every one of us may find ourselves on the road during bad weather, and taking extra precautions can keep us safe this winter. Being prepared for all possibilities can ensure we make it home safely at the end of each day.

The above information, additional information and additional driving tips can be found at:

www.weather.com

www.roadway.com

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