Posted by Dan Phelan on Tue, Jan 17, 2012 @ 07:57 AM
It's the middle of January, and finally time for our annual winter driving safety advisory! Next time it snows more than 2", keep these safety tips in mind before you get behind the wheel.
Clear Off Your Vehicle and Warm up Your Car:
Clear ALL snow and ice from your vehicle before you leave. We have all seen someone peaking through a small cleared area in their windshield—don’t be one of those people, you know who you are! Clear the windshield, side windows and rear window of all snow/ice and run the defrosters to clear all condensation. Clean off the headlights, turn signals and taillights. Dirty headlights can cut visibility by 50%. You need to see and to be seen, so take the time to properly clear off your vehicle before you depart. Be sure to let your vehicle warm up properly before you depart. If the vehicle is snowed in, clear a path in front of the tires and if possible, on each side under the vehicle so you don’t get stuck. Start out slowly to avoid spinning the tires and creating an even slipperier surface. If your wheels start to spin, let up on the accelerator until the traction returns. Sand, kitty litter, or even a floor mat, placed in front of the drive wheels, can be used to provide traction.
Use Your Headlights:
Visibility is reduced in the winter when it snowing, raining, sleeting and on cloudy days. You want to be seen, so use your headlights even during daylight hours. If there is fog, snow, rain, ect. use your low beams. NEVER use your parking lights on the road or on the highway; parking lights indicate to other drivers that the vehicle is stopped.
Watch for Trouble Spots:
Be aware of areas that are more likely to be slippery. Some dangerous areas include:
- Bridges that freeze before the roadway—even if there is no precipitation at the time, there will be left over snow/ice in place.
- Areas where the road is shaded may have ice you can’t see.
- Where the sun melts snow and the melted snow runs across the road—the run-off may refreeze on the road.
- Sand/gravel on the road will make curves dangerous.
Take it Easy:
Whether you are starting up, slowing down, stopping, turning, going around a curve, changing lanes or making any other maneuver, you need to do it in a gentle fashion and with more caution than you use under normal driving conditions. Four wheel drive doesn't help on ice!
Don't Tailgate:
You need to triple the distance you would normally leave between your vehicle and the vehicle ahead to compensate for the loss of traction. Even that may not be enough. Give yourself plenty of room to stop as gently as you can.
Slow Down:
Speed limits are based on normal road conditions. If you're going the normal speed limit on a wet road or one with ice or snow on it, you are going too fast! Slow down to compensate for the reduction of traction.
Braking With Anti-Lock Brakes:
Except in an emergency stopping situation, use the brakes gently as you would with the conventional brakes to avoid engaging the anti-lock system. Brake slow, gentle and early enough so you can stop slowly. In an emergency situation, you should push the brake pedal firmly. When the anti-lock braking system engages, you will typically feel the brake pedal pulse or vibrate against your foot. Do not pump the brake, remove your foot or lessen the pressure on the brake pedal. The system will keep the wheels from locking up and if necessary, you can steer the vehicle while stopping.
Braking Without Anti-Lock Brakes:
If you have conventional brakes, use the brakes in a gentle fashion. Apply the brake slow and in plenty of time so you do not have to hit the brakes hard. In an emergency situation, “squeeze” the brakes with slow steady pressure until they begin to lock. When you feel them start to lock and the wheels sliding, ease off until the wheels are rolling and then squeeze again. Don’t “pump” the brakes by hitting them hard.
What To Do If You Start to Skid:
If a skid develops, take the following actions:
- Take your foot off the accelerator immediately.
- Keep your foot OFF the brakes!
- Turn the steering wheel in the direction the rear end of the vehicle is sliding. If the rear end is sliding to the right, turn the wheel to the right. If the rear is sliding to the left, steer to the left.
- Once the vehicle has straightened out, steer gently in the direction you want to go.
Wear your seatbelt at all times.
Insist that passengers buckle up.
Put your cellphone away.
Keep a full tank of gas and remember to top off your washer fluid.
Your trunk should have a shovel, a warm blanket, and some emergency food in it in case you get stuck.