Prepare yourself for winter driving

Dr. Michael Caldwell For the Poughkeepsie Journal

The danger from winter weather can be brutal at times in our Hudson Valley. Storms at this time of year can range from a moderate snow over a few hours to a blizzard with blinding, wind-driven snow that lasts for several days. Dangerously low temperatures, strong winds, icing, sleet and freezing rain all add up and must be respected.

The severely cold weather may not have yet arrived, but it will be here soon enough. There is still time to make sure you properly prepare yourself, your family and your vehicles for winter driving conditions. Why does it always seem there are many unnecessary auto accidents with the first snowfall? The Federal Highway Administration notes that each year weather-related crashes on snowy, slushy or icy pavement account for 116,000 injuries and 1,300 deaths. Take the time now to review this advice to get through winter-weather driving without regrets this season.

Go slow, keep your distance

Driving in any storm, especially a winter storm, can be harrowing. Even a mild dusting can cause trouble, however. SLOW DOWN! Make sure you reduce your speed as much as you need to be able to handle the road conditions at the time. The speed limit signs you see are only for normal road conditions. You should and must slow down as much as needed to keep complete control of your vehicle at all times. This will help you keep safe and provide you with some extra time and space to stay away from some of the “snow cowboys and cowgirls” that always seem to pop up on the roads in bad snowstorms. Stay far back from other vehicles so you will have plenty of space and time to react to unexpected skidding and sliding.

Get your vehicles winter ready

Keep your car fueled and in good working order. Be sure to check the battery, tires and tire pressure, the brakes, emergency flashers, windshield wiper fluid as well as the heater and defroster. Check the antifreeze. Inside your car, make sure you have a working LED flashlight, jumper cables, abrasive material (sand, kitty litter, even floor mats), shovel, snow brush and ice scraper, warning devices (like flares) and blankets. For long trips, add food and water, medication as well as your cellphone.

Avoid driving in active storms

Don’t go! That’s the best advice. Shelter in place and play it safe until the storm is past and the road crews have properly cleared the roads. Plan ahead so you’ll be able to stay at home or arrange your travel to avoid a storm. The AAA notes that “even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don’t tempt fate: If you don’t have somewhere you have to be, watch the snow from indoors.”

Plan your travel route in advance

Allow plenty of time (check the weather and leave early if necessary), be familiar with the maps/ directions, and let others know your route and arrival time.

Know what to do in an emergency

If you are ever stopped or stalled, always stay with your car. Don’t over exert yourself. Put bright markers on the antenna or windows, and keep the interior dome light on. If you run your car, clear exhaust pipe and run it just enough to stay warm. Remember that carbon monoxide (CO) is a clear and odorless gas and is responsible for a number of unintentional deaths in winter. Keep your seat belt on and put on your hazard lights. Even if you’re pulled over, people can still hit you. Place roadside flares near your car to alert other drivers and/or potential rescuers that you are there.

Practice winter weather driving

Yes, you can practice cold weather driving! During daylight, it’s great to rehearse maneuvering slowly on the ice or snow in an empty lot. Try steering into a skid; Get to know what your brakes will do: stomp on antilock brakes, pump non-antilock brakes. Remember that stopping distances are longer on water-covered ice and ice patches, and you can loose control of your vehicle a lot faster than you think.

Use everyday driving safety tools

Buckle up every passenger in the front and the back seats. Use child safety seats properly every time. Make sure to never place a rear-facing infant seat in front of an air bag. Children 12 and under are always much safer buckled-up in the back seats. Avoid fatigue – get plenty of rest before the trip, stop at least every three hours and rotate drivers if possible. Avoid distractions – keep your phone turned off when you’re in your vehicle; don’t eat and drive; don’t smoke and drive, better yet, try not to smoke at all.

Winter in the Hudson Valley is full of wonder and magic. Don’t let the weather get you down. Follow these tips, stay safe and make the most of all the activities our community offers this season. I wish you all the best for a happy, healthy, safe and warm holiday season and new year.

AAA tips for driving in snow

•Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.

•Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning – nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver by driving slowly.

•The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to 10 seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.

•Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.

•Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.

•Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed down hill as slowly as possible.

•Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.

•Stay home. If you really don’t have to go out, don’t. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don’t tempt fate: If you don’t have somewhere you have to be, watch the snow from indoors.

Source: AAA; visit AAA’s YouTube page for videos on winter driving tips.

Dr. Michael Caldwell is the former Dutchess County Commissioner of Health. Send comments to healthchief@yahoo.com Twitter: @healthchief

This article was originally published by the Poughkeepsie Journal onDecember 11, 2015. To check out the original article, click on this link: https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/health/2015/12/11/winter-driving/77152482/