• Speed Limits
  Remember that these limits primarily refer to safe speeds during ideal weather conditions. Always slow down while driving on snow or ice.

  When driving uphill on ice, pick a path that will allow the most traction. Allow for greater stopping distances during snow and ice storms. In order to bring your car to a safe stop, you must allow 8-10 seconds between you and the vehicle in front of you.

• Curves and Turns
  To maintain better control of your vehicle, reduce speed just before the turn. Any sudden acceleration or deceleration during a turn will send you into a skid.

  Never brake while driving on ice. If you are approaching a patch of ice, brake during your approach. Applying pressure to your brakes while on ice will only throw you into a skid. Monitor vehicles in front of you and steer clear of areas where they spin wheels or slide backward. Unpacked snow will give most vehicles sufficient uphill traction.

• Keep Your Distance
  The most important thing to remember when driving on slick roads is that you must travel, steer and brake more slowly than usual.

  The distance needed to stop on ice is twice as long as that you would need to brake under normal driving circumstances. This means you should keep at least a three-car distance from the vehicle directly in front of you. Remember that tires which are in proper working condition and are adequately inflated provide better traction.

• Extra Slippery
  Certain areas of roadways, because of location or lack of direct sunlight, are almost always more hazardous than others. Use extra caution when driving on bridges, overpasses and tunnels.

  What is known as "black ice" commonly forms on roads that wind around lakes and rivers, in tunnels, on overpasses and in highly shaded, rural areas. Black ice is almost invisible to the naked eye. Be especially leery when driving your car into shaded areas, and slow your vehicle down during your approach.

• Visibility
  Simply by clearing all snow and ice from your vehicle you can improve your visibility. It might not seem like any big thing but be sure to remove ice and snow from hood, roof, trunk, turn signal lights, tail and headlights, windows, mirrors and fenders before you take off. Also, always use your low beams when driving in an ice or snow storm. You’ll have better visibility.

• Handling Skids
  The biggest problem facing most winter drivers is skidding on slick, icy or snow covered roads. It is possible to steer out of a skid! First of all, do not panic.

  Once you feel your car begin to skid, slowly remove your foot from the accelerator, until you feel your wheels regain traction control. Do not attempt to brake! As your vehicle’s tires grab the road, slowly turn the steering wheel in the direction you want your front wheels to go.

• Gimme a Brake
  Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) offer significant advantages on slick roads, if used correctly. To operate ABS effectively, motorists should apply steady pressure to the brake pedal during the entire stop. ABS will automatically pump the brakes, if necessary, to keep the wheels from locking.

  Never manually pump ABS brakes yourself. Apply only steady pressure continuously until you come to a complete stop. If you don’t have ABS, you should gently apply pumping pressure to your brakes during slippery conditions. Do not apply steady pressure to your brakes. Standing on your brakes will only cause wheel lock, and may result in your car spinning out of control.

• Slow Motion
  Everything you do on icy roads will affect how your vehicle handles the situation. Move slowly. Turn slowly. Brake slowly. Sudden changes can cause your car to spin out of control. Not all cars respond the same to icy, slippery roads. For that reason, knowing how to handle your vehicle and how it responds in various weather conditions is important.

  AAA recommends that motorists practice slow-speed maneuvers on an empty snow or ice covered parking lot. You should also page through your owner’s manual, familiarizing yourself with your vehicle’s braking system and tire traction.

Here are some more driving tips that will help you get where you want to safely and with a minimum of stress.

• Allow enough time, especially if you encounter storm conditions or icy roads. Get an early start and allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
• Keep your gas tank full. It may be necessary to change routes or turn back during a bad storm or you may be caught in a traffic delay.
• When it’s foggy, stay to the right of the roadway and turn on your headlights-day or night-to low beam.
• Check weather conditions before heading out. Don’t take chances if the weather is bad. Let someone know of your destination and expected time of arrival.
• Wear comfortable clothing that doesn’t restrict your movement while at the wheel. Keep warm clothing for getting out of your vehicle.
• After starting your vehicle, wait for the fog to clear from the interior of the windows so you will have good visibility all around.
• Have sufficient windshield washer fluid in the reservoir and make sure that it is rated for your anticipated temperature range. Keep an extra jug in the vehicle.
• In high winds, it is best not to drive a trailer, van or other "high-profile" vehicle...or to drive close to them.
• If you see a tornado, never try to outrun it. Get out of the car and find shelter. If you cannot get to a safe structure, lie down in a ditch or low area. Lie face down to protect yourself from flying debris and cover the back of your head and neck with your hands.
• Along with your emergency road kit (see below), other suggested items to carry are an ice scraper or commercial de-icer, a broom for brushing snow off your car, a shovel to free your car if it is "snowed in", burlap for traction if your wheels should become mired in snow, and an old towel to clean your hands.
• Weather conditions may warrant detouring traffic from the main roadway. It is strongly suggested that drivers always keep an updated map containing the areas of travel.
• Put an extra car key in your pocket. A number of motorists have locked themselves out of their cars when putting on chains and at ski areas.

Bad Weather Kit

Having a well-stocked emergency kit in your car can help to save your life and make you more comfortable during breakdowns, accidents and long waits. It should include:

• Roadside flares
• Small traffic cones
• "Call for Help" windshield sign
• Battery jumper cables
• First aid kit
• Shovel
• Basic tools (pliers, wrench, screwdriver and knife)
• Blankets
• Extra clothing (hats, socks, boots, mittens)
• Flashlight
• Bag of sand
• Cellular phone or CB Radio

[back]