10 tips for Safe Winter Roads
Winter road travel has already been challenging everywhere in winter 2010/2011.
Whether you’re driving a new Mitsubishi, Jeep or older vehicles, you need to pay attention to basic car maintenance and more.
Recently, Rand McNally’s editors shared their Top 10 Tips for Safe Winter Road Travel.
One of their great tips is: “Carry a first aid kit in the car with you. This is especially important if you have children or older individuals riding with you.”
Says Dave Muscatel, CEO of Rand McNally:
“More than 60% of U.S. leisure travelers take road trips. Advanced planning and patience are the keys to traveling our roads safely, especially during inclement weather.”
Here are the Top 10 Tips for Safe Winter Road Travel:
1. Know the differences between various winter weather advisories.
- Winter weather advisories are for conditions that may be hazardous, but should not become life threatening when using caution.
- Winter storm watches mean that severe winter conditions may affect your area.
- Winter storm warnings mean a storm bringing four or more inches of snow/sleet is expected in the next 12 hours, or six or more inches in 24 hours.
- Blizzard warnings mean snow and strong winds will produce blinding snow, deep drifts and a life-threatening wind chill.
2. Tell someone your timetable and travel route.
3. Driving slowly, maintaining plenty of room between you and the next car is the easiest way to avoid accidents.
4. Stock your car with a shovel, broom, ice scraper, jumper cables, blankets, flashlight, warning devices (flares), sand or kitty litter and high-calorie non-perishable food.
5. Keep spare, charged cell phone batteries in your car.
6. Keep your gas tank and windshield fluid reservoir full.
7. Check your lights and windshield wipers are functioning properly.
8. Know your health insurance plan and its emergency care policies.
9. If you get stuck in the snow, stay in your car – it’s your best shelter. Don’t leave unless help is within 100 yards.
10. Don’t drive until you are fully awake and not impaired by anything. Most adults know not to drink and drive, but few realize accidents are caused by being drowsy or impaired by legal drugs like cold medicines.