Public safety officials offer advice for safe winter travel
Winter storm season is here and the holidays fast approaching. City public safety officials remind drivers to plan ahead for safe winter travel. Now is the time to winterize your vehicle, explore public transportation options and make preparations for snow and ice so that you are able arrive at your destinations safely. The links and tips below will help get you started.
Remember to be prepared, check road conditions when ever possible before you set out, let someone know your route and expected arrival time, and call them when you have arrived safely at your destination.
We wish you a safe winter driving experience!
Winter vehicle maintenance and driving tips
Winter vehicle maintenance
- Keep fuel tank full, fill before it reaches ½ tank.
- Check oil and fluid levels often and maintain at regular intervals.
- Check all lights regularly and replace as needed (Cold weather is tough on lights).
- Keep proper air pressure in tires and replace tires if worn.
- Make sure spare is inflated and you have the proper jack and tools to replace a flat tire.
- Carry the proper size tire chains and know how to put them on. (Practice at home).
- Replace worn windshield wipers every fall.
Tips for winter driving
- Adjust mirrors and seat before driving.
- Wait for windows to defog (keeping interior glass clean helps with defogging, read manual).
- Always use your turn signals.
- Do not look directly into oncoming headlights.
- Increase your following distance to allow room to safely brake and stop.
- Drive defensively and scan ahead to anticipate problems so you can avoid them.
Snow and ice
- Consider whether you really need to travel at all, and if you must travel try the bus or a taxi. Read your vehicle's winter driving tips in the owner's manual.
- Have proper winter traction devices and follow manufacture's/installer's recommendations.
- When starting and stopping: use Drive #2 in an automatic or 2nd gear with a clutch.
- Let engine idle slowly pull your car forward, do not over use the accelerator.
- Rear wheel drive with auto transmission, shift to neutral to stop (takes force off rear wheels).
- Conventional brakes need to be pumped and never locked.
- ABS brakes allow you to brake fully and steer, keep foot on brake.
- Steer into the direction of a skid (Steer and look to where to want your vehicle to go).
- Allow more time to get where you are going, so leave early or plan to arrive late.
- Once, what traction you have is lost, ALL vehicles become equal in the slide to stop.
- Remember, on snow and ice, traveling at the speed limit is too fast for conditions.
What to carry in your car
- Flashlight with good batteries
- Proper tow rope or chain
- First aid kit with blanket
- Extra set of windshield wipers
- Warm gloves
- Flares or electronic warning devices
- Basic hand tools
- Fire extinguisher
- Extra door key (pocket/purse)
-
Litter bag
- Extra quart of oil
- Ice/snow scraper/brush
- Tarp for putting on chains
- De-icer fluid
- Cell phone
- Sand tube or small plastic bucket with sand
Date Posted: Nov, 16, 2007
