When
it comes to driving during winter, there is really only one concern you
need have: safety. It's not miles of rubber on the road that you should
concern yourself over; it's what gets between the rubber and the road
that causes most of the problems. Here are some tips on how to get ready
for winter driving conditions, and how to handle them once you're in
the thick of a winter storm.
1.
Put some extra clothing and emergency items in your vehicle; these will
come in handy if you break down in very cold weather. It doesn't take
much -- assemble a basic kit including a pair of gloves,
weather-resistant pants and/or coat, maybe an old pair of boots, a
blanket, jumper cables, a flashlight with some extra batteries, and a
windshield scraper (and maybe a de-icer), and you should be in good
shape. You might also toss a few nutrition bars in as well; those things
won't spoil until the next millennium, are packed with calories and can
bail you out in a pinch.
2.
Make sure your car is checked over for winter weather readiness. In
particular, you or a mechanic should inspect your tires before the first
big winter storm. For folks living in northern regions, checking tires
during the fall is an almost sacrosanct ritual, and it's a good idea
even if you're just a weekender in the snowy parts of the country.
3.
Once your vehicle is inspected and equipped, follow this advice we
heard a while back from Montana's snowplow drivers: "See and be seen.
Keep your headlights and taillights clean, especially in stormy weather.
Keep windows clean and make sure defrosters work well. If snow has
built up on your vehicle overnight or after a break from driving, clear
it away so it doesn't blow off and obscure your windows."
4.
Slow down. The U.S. Department of Transportation recommends slowing
down by about 50 percent in bad weather; additionally, leave extra space
between you and the car in front of you. You'll want to use your best
judgment, but the slow tend to survive this race.
5.
Remember that not all stretches of road are created alike. For example,
many recently built small bridges and overpasses have been designed to
blend into the surroundings, with a gradual or nonexistent change in
elevation. These bridges nonetheless remain susceptible to icing over
much more rapidly than regular blacktop. Look out and look ahead for
these short stretches of road when temperatures approach or drop below
freezing. If you don't know the ropes of driving on icy surfaces, read
this primer on how to drive on black ice.
6.
Some features of modern automobiles may actually serve you poorly in
bad conditions. In some SUVs and four-wheel-drive vehicles, for example,
you may have better traction when the vehicle is under way, but the
four-wheel drive won't help you stop any faster. Also, skip the cruise
control; your cruise control feature may accelerate when you least want
it to, such as when you are climbing an icy bridge.
7.
Some safety experts recommend putting a bag of kitty litter in the
trunk, both for added ballast to offer better traction, and to put under
the wheels if you need to get yourself out of a slippery spot. (This
can get messy in a minivan or other trunk-less vehicles, of course.)
8.
If you are stranded and have to stay in your car, you can run the
engine for heat, but make sure the exhaust pipe is not obstructed by
snow or mud. If you prefer not to have the engine running the whole
time, close the windows to keep heat in, and run the car for 10 minutes
every hour, crackign open a front window when you do so.
9. If you are parking at your hotel or near attractions in bad weather, opt for a spot in an indoor parking garage when available.
