The winter blues have already begun to spread with icy breezes everywhere. During such wintry weather, you had better stay alert, slow down and stay in control while driving.
The leading cause of death during winter storms is transportation accidents. Preparing yourself and your vehicle for winters and being aware of the proper course of action to react to are the keys to safe winter driving.
When winters return, there are certain prerequisites to consider in order to establish the new term “Winter Road Safety”. Similar to driving tips, laws; this constitutes the safety measures taken to deal with snowy or icy driving conditions.
Vehicle Requirements
These constitute the things that you should carry with you while driving in the winter season.
These essential supplies can provide some comfort and safety for you and your passengers in the event you become stranded. Recommended items include
pocket knife
o Necessary medications – first aid kit
o Ice scraper/snow brush
o Sand or other traction aid
o Towing rope or chain
o Reinforcement cables
or small shovel
o Set of tire chains or traction mats
Sleeping bag
o Extra newspapers for insulation
o Plastic bags (for sanitation)
o Extra set of mittens, socks and wool hat, footwear
o Rain gear and additional clothing and blankets
o Canned fruits and nuts
or bottled water
o Gas line antifreeze
o Flashlight and batteries
o Road flares or warning lights
o Bright colored fabric to use as a flag
fire extinguisher
o Small tool kit: pliers, wrench, screwdriver
o Candle and matches
personal care
This section outlines some of the simple survival signs to remember on winter travel. Although not set by the DMV, these have been prescribed by doctors and experienced drivers.
o Make sure you are well rested before you get in the car.
o Avoid fatigue while driving. Take a break every three hours and stretch your body during long drives.
o Get some exercise to keep your circulation going. Clap your hands and move your arms and legs from time to time. Keep the circulation going by moving your feet, hands, and arms.
o Watch for signs of hypothermia: Symptoms of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, slow speech, memory lapses, frequent stumbling, drowsiness, and exhaustion.
o Dress warmly and snuggle up to generate warmth.
o Wear loose, layered, lightweight clothing.
o Try not to stay too long in one place. If there is more than one person in the car, take turns sleeping. Driver rotation helps reduce fatigue on long trips.
o Plan long trips carefully.
o Listen to the radio or call the state highway patrol for the latest road conditions.
Additional vehicle requirements
Preliminary maintenance check
Battery, Belts & Hoses, Antifreeze, Radiator, Oil, Lights, Hazard Flashers, Exhaust System, Heater/Defogger, Windshield Wipers, Thermostat, Ignition System, Heaters, Brakes, Defogger
winter tires
Fit good winter tires and the condition of your vehicle’s tires is vital. Worn and damaged tires pose a serious problem for driving safety. In some places, it is a DMV traffic law that requires vehicles to be equipped with chains or studded snow tires to drive on their roads. Remember to check your tire air pressure as it tends to drop in colder weather.
Cleaning done
Keep a windshield scraper and a small broom to remove ice and snow. Remove snow and ice from all windows, lights, mirrors, and the roof.
fuel care
Make sure your vehicle is winter ready and keep your gas tank full. Make sure you have enough washer fluid in the reservoir and that it is rated in the -40°C temperature range.
hit the road
Keep the following driving tips as general rules to ensure driving safety.
o See and be seen is the first policy: proper visibility is a must and there is no compromise or substitute for this.
o Doubled Two Seconds Rule: Allow plenty of space, and in winter, especially when the weather is worse, double the seconds of space between your vehicle and the vehicles ahead.
o Skid Control: The roads are often very slippery in winter and it is very important to have complete control of your vehicle at the time of a skid. Have your braking system fully tuned. In fact, you can easily handle them if you are aware of defensive driving. Especially the one with truck driving skills, add these defensive strategies for driving safety.
o Snow and ice: beware of these real problems in winter, snowy roads and blocks of ice. These block paths and can also put lives at stake. Anticipate carefully before hitting the road. Determine the state of the weather and roads through news channels, newspapers and portals that provide news on road safety
disasters
In times of being stranded between the ice bars or in any other situation, you should
o Draw attention to your vehicle. Use emergency flashers, flares, or a Call Police signal.
o If you carry a cell phone or are stuck in a place with phone service, call for help.
o If it’s snowing hard, it’s best to keep your car! You may get confused in the storm and not be able to get back to your car.
o Be careful if you try to free your vehicle from the snow. Dress warmly, paddle slowly, and don’t overexert yourself.
Before all this, it is very important not to panic about the situation, otherwise you might not land anywhere. So guys! Take a sedative and enjoy the trip with caution.
