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It seems that even the most experienced driver forgets the most basic of rules when winter comes around, they very quickly remember. I hope to jog your memory a little, and for those of you who have never driven in that white stuff, please pay attention to those who have "been there, done that". We really do know what we are talking about and are not just a bunch of old timers who should be sitting in a rocking chair somewhere, personally I would rather be somewhere nice and warm fishing.
Without further ado here are the golden rules of Winter Driving ( those of you experienced if I leave anything out, please sign my guest book and let me know, I will put it in if it's valid)
#1 Allways carry extra blankets and clothes,ok I know it sounds like a given that we carry stuff with us but if you are coming from a warm climate, and all of a sudden find yourself in snow and -50 temperatures, you'll be glad someone reminded you to carry your long johns, and extra socks. An extra pair of boots and if all you have is soft shoes, you can wrap them in plastic for aboslute emergencies. Remember that the Highway Patroll advises in winter weather to stay with your vehicle and not try to go for help, but you have to keep your exhaust pipe clear of snow.
#2 Carry lots of extra food, if you are stranded somewhere because of the roads being closed, you may need those little snack crackers to keep you going. This is especially important for those of you who may be diabetic, I was stuck in Winslow AZ once for three days and we cleaned out the Wal Mart next door in that time.
#3 Don't forget Water, we cleaned that out too, along with toilet paper, paper towels, personal toiletries and baby diapers. Before anyone asks, some of the drivers had their families with them, the diapers were for the babies NOT the drivers. Allthough I did have my doubts about one or two of them, but thats another story.
#4 Pet food AND kitty litter, strange combination if you have a dog right? Well when you get ready to leave and your tires are frozen to the ground, throw some kitty litter under your wheels and it will melt the ice. Unlocking your breaks requires a hammer or a really good friend and a hammer, this way you stay inside nice and warm while they get your breaks freed.
#5 A small shovel or something else to dig with, this is just in case you need to dig yourself out of somewhere you shouldn't have gotten yourself into. The metal ones are best just in case you hit ice, the plastic ones tend to break if you're beating the heck out of the ice to break it.
#6 If you dont feel safe it's time to park, it doesn't matter if you are being told you have to be there asap, if you are unsure of yourself you are much more likely to play a major part in an accident. You don't have to play macho man ( or woman) you have to be safe.If you are a student or just don't have much experience don't listen if some one tells you to "come on" on the CB, listen to your instincts, or wake up your trainer.
#7 Try to stay off the ice, well duh you say right. If the right lane is icepacked and the left lane has loose snow you get better traction on the snow. Why ? The ice is slippery the snow may have some hard surface you can use under it, if you're not going to blind anyone with blowing snow try the left lane and KEEP IT SLOW. This is only to get traction and NOT to keep driving when you shouldn't. It is illegal to drive in the left lane unless passing another vehicle and also to pass in the right lane You can also get better traction by driving just a LITTLE over the fog line on the right lane BUT DO NOT DRIFT TOO FAR OVER, ALL YOU NEED ARE A FEW INCHES TO GET TRACTION.
#8 Drive at a speed YOU feel comfortable with, You and only you are driving your vehicle, it doesn't matter if it's a semi, a car, or a four wheel drive, you can and will still go in the ditch. Hopefully the right side up and all in one piece, but don't count on it.
#9 Double or triple your following distance, another duh right, how many times have you seen people driving nose to tail down the interstates? This is another thing they forget, especially in the fog that sometimes goes with the ice. Anyone who has driven I5 or CA99 through the valley can tell you what it's like, you hit a solid white wall and, if you're lucky you manage to stop before you hit the wreck in front of you. You will be even more lucky if someone doesn't hit you from behind at 75 or 80mph, they tend not to slow down untill it's too late thinking it's just a few feet.
#10 IF YOU ARE AT ALL UNSURE OF YOURSELF, YOUR VEHICLE, OR OTHER DRIVERS, IT'S BETTER TO STOP BEFORE YOU HIT THE BAD WEATHER. IF YOUR RADIO (AM/FM WEATHER CHANNEL NOT CB) IS TELLING YOU THE ROAD IS CLOSED 50 MILES AHEAD FIND SOMEWHERE TO PARK NOW, THAT HAS FOOD AND HEAT. TRUST ME THE CLOSER YOU ARE TO THE ROAD CLOSING, THE FEWER THE PARKING SPACES, MOTELS AND CAFE'S YOU ARE GOING TO FIND. IF YOU HAVE TO PARK AND SIT IN YOUR VEHICLE KEEP THE EXHAUST PIPE CLEAR AND A WINDOW CRACKED FOR VENTILATION, NO MATTER HOW COLD IT IS.