 | This morning, as I was driving to work, I couldn't help but admire the beautiful vista before me; the snow was gently falling, no wind, a blanket of snow settled across everything I laid eyes on. It was gorgeous, but road conditions were slippery. Winter is here. With winter weather come more |
| dangerous road conditions. Here are some tips to help keep you safe on and off the road this winter. Being prepared is key! Before serious winter weather sets in, take your car in for a maintenance checkup and make sure |  |
all systems are working properly (especially defrost, heat and breaks) and all fluids are topped off (especially antifreeze).
It’s important to let your car warm up ahead of driving it during cold weather. Leave yourself enough time to start it and let it run for about 10 minutes. Run the car in open air, not in enclosed spaces like a garage. This will prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Even the most experienced driver can slip on black ice or slide in snow drifts. Here are some tips to help avoid car crashes, quoted from the National Safety Council:
“- Never mix radial tires with other types of tires
- Avoid using your parking brake to slow or stop
- Do not use cruise control in wintery conditions
- Look and steer in the direction you want to go
- Accelerate and decelerate slowly
- Increase following distance to 8 to 10 seconds
- Know whether you have antilock brakes, which will
"pump" the brakes for you in a skid
- If possible, don't stop when going uphill
- Keep your gas tank at least half-full
- If you do get stranded, don't try to push your vehicle
out of snow
- Signal distress with a brightly colored cloth tied to the
antenna or in a rolled up window.”
Always maintain an emergency kit in your car. Always keep these items on hand in the car (again quoted NSC): "Properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod jack, shovel, jumper cables, tow and tire chains, bag ofsalt or cat litter (for better tire traction or to melt snow), tool kit, flashlight and extra batteries, reflective triangles or flares, compass, first aid kit, windshield cleaner, ice
scraper and snow brush, matches in waterproof holder, scissors and string or cord, nonperishable, high-energy foods like unsalted, canned nuts, dried fruits, hard candy, blankets, mittens, socks and hats.”
Follow these tips and be safe this winter!
Source: “Be Prepared for Winter Driving”; National Safety Council,
www.nsc.org
Even the most experienced driver can slip on black ice or slide in snow drifts. Here are some tips to help avoid car crashes, quoted from the National Safety Council:
“- Never mix radial tires with other types of tires
- Avoid using your parking brake to slow or stop
- Do not use cruise control in wintery conditions
- Look and steer in the direction you want to go
- Accelerate and decelerate slowly
- Increase following distance to 8 to 10 seconds
- Know whether you have antilock brakes, which will
"pump" the brakes for you in a skid
- If possible, don't stop when going uphill
- Keep your gas tank at least half-full
- If you do get stranded, don't try to push your vehicle
out of snow
- Signal distress with a brightly colored cloth tied to the
antenna or in a rolled up window.”
Always maintain an emergency kit in your car. Always keep these items on hand in the car (again quoted NSC): "Properly inflated spare tire, wheel wrench and tripod jack, shovel, jumper cables, tow and tire chains, bag ofsalt or cat litter (for better tire traction or to melt snow), tool kit, flashlight and extra batteries, reflective triangles or flares, compass, first aid kit, windshield cleaner, ice
scraper and snow brush, matches in waterproof holder, scissors and string or cord, nonperishable, high-energy foods like unsalted, canned nuts, dried fruits, hard candy, blankets, mittens, socks and hats.”
Follow these tips and be safe this winter!
Source: “Be Prepared for Winter Driving”; National Safety Council,
www.nsc.org
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