WinterDriving
Introduction:
Hazardsassociatedwithdrivingduringwinterweatherconditions,includingdrivingonwet,icyorsnow-packedroadsincrease,makingitriskytodriveintheseadverseconditions.Itisimportanttopreparefordrivingintheseconditionsasemergenciescanhappenatanytime.Preparationcanhelpwithhowonehandlestheemergencyandmakesforasafertrip.
Beforeyouventureoutinadverseconditions,prepareyourselfmentallybeforeyougetbehindthewheel.Taketimetoevaluatethesituation,andpreparetoactquicklywhenmakingdecisions,andavoidalldistractionsthatwouldimpairyourdecisionmaking,leadingtoanaccident.
DiscussionPoints:
• CarMaintenance–checkbattery,fluidlevels,hoses,tires,lightsandwindshieldwipers.Keepfuellevelaboveahalf-tankduringthewintermonths.
• EmergencySupplies–sand,shovel,brush,scraper,warningdevices,tirechains,jumpercables,
toolkit,firstaidkit,blankets,warmclothing,water,food,medications,stringandscissorsandacompass.
• PlanYourRoute–checkweatherforecast,mapanddirections,allowextratimeforarrival,and
informothersofyourplans.
• LearntoDriveinSnowandonIce–understandhowtohandleyourvehicleincludingsteeringandbraking,slowdownandallowmoredistancebetweenvehicles,andavoidstopping.
Discussion:
AccordingtotheFederalMotorCarrierSafetyAdministration(FMCSA),youshouldreduceyourspeedby1/3onwetroadsandby1/2ormoreonsnow-packedroads.
Itisalwaysbettertoavoidputtingyourselfinadangeroussituation,ifyoudonothavetogooutinhazardouswinterweatherconditionsorifindoubt,stayhome!However,ifyoumusttravelinadverseconditions,beawareofyoursurroundingsandmakegooddecisions.Knowhowandwhentorecognizedanger,andwhenitistimetopullofftheroadintoaprotectedrestareaandwaitfortheconditionstoimprovebeforecontinuingyourtrip.
Asalways,besafeoutthere!
February 25, 2019