Driving Safety: How to Drive in Snow and Winter Weather

© Duchess O’Blunt, 2010; all rights reserved.

My best advise - don’t.

If the weather man is telling you that you can expect 12” of snow in the next 24 hours; that winds will be high and the temperature way below zero, do yourself a favor and make arrangements not to travel in it. If you have any sick days left - take one. If you can work remotely, you won’t find a better reason. If you don’t have to drive in it - don’t.

However, life goes one no matter the weather and if you find you must travel through the inclement weather, here are a few tips from an old hand at it.

First and foremost, after you are all bundled up to face the deep freeze and blowing snow; before you open that door and kiss you partner goodbye, make sure you leave Mr. Impatient behind and ensure you have Ms. Common Sense tag along with you.

There is no excuse today not to know that bad weather is coming.

Keeping your car in good condition is your best defence. Regular oil changes, good brakes and tires, and regular upkeep are essential.

We generally have enough time before a storm hits to do some regular maintenance on the vehicles. Ensure your tire pressure is where it should be, your windshield wipers are functioning properly, your windshield wiper fluid and gas tanks are full. And keep your safety kit up to date.

Every winter season check your Car Safety Kit and First Aid Kit. Make sure they are placed in the car, not left in the basement, stuffed in the back of your closet or stored in your garage! These things should be in your back seat in a heavy bag or a separate box. If you have regular travelers the trunk will do.

This is one of the first things I bought my boys when they got their very first cars. And every year I check it to see what they need while checking my own. You can buy these kits or you can build your own. In either case, they are a must for those who travel in winter weather.

• Emergency blankets
• Warm clothing (hat, gloves, boots - even an extra layer of clothes)
• Candle (and a deep can) and matches
• Flashlight with back up batteries or a wind up flashlight
• Ice scraper
• Collapsible shovel
• First Aid Kit
• Jumper Cables
• Working jack and spare tire
• Tire inflator & tire pressure gauge
• Sand or salt (even the not clumping kitty litter will work)
• Duct Tape (good for anything)
• Windshield washer fluid
• Jug of water for the radiator
• Quart of oil
• Fire extinguisher
• Rags
• Bottled Water and energy bars
• Flares or reflectors
• Help Sign
• Whistle
• Tow Rope
• Car insurance information
• Ownership
• AAA or other Roadside assistance information

So many people don’t do this and every time I see it - I want to reach inside their windows and slap them up along side the head.

Clean the snow off your car!

Traveling with a foot of snow on the roof of your vehicle might look cute in the pictures, but it is not safe. That snow will eventually fall and can cause some serious damage. Clean it off!

Clean off the windows. All of them. You need to be able to see. (Dah!)

Clean off the lights. In snowy weather often you see the lights before you see the cars. Be smart. Clean off the snow.

Now I come to the part that every person who lives in a country where winter weather WILL be a factor, I will be making advise that should be just common sense. I don’t mean to insult your intelligence, but a reminder never hurts.

• I shouldn’t have to say it, but it still happens. Do...Not...Drive...While...Under...the...Influence.
• Do not drive while tired! This is dangerous to everyone at anytime. Magnify it in bad weather
• Buckle up - not only is it the law, it’s a wise choice. I have a personal rule; no one drives in my car without buckling up. I don't even put the car in gear until everyone is buckled in
• Slow Down and arrive alive
• Be alert. I like to tell my boys to assume that every other person on the road are idiots; they are the only smart ones, therefore they have to drive smart for everyone else.
• Drive with both hands on the wheel. Don’t smoke, drink your coffee, eat your breakfast, put on your make up or shave while driving. Another Dah! moment, but even in bad weather you see people doing this.
• Do NOT tailgate. It’s slippery out there folks. Even the best brakes in the world will not stop you fast enough if you don’t keep your distance.
• Turn on your lights.
• Do not try to pass the snow ploughs! Please use some common sense. They drive 3 or 4 abreast on the major highways to remove the snow. Trying to pass them is not smart.
• Keep your cell phone charged.

One extra word of caution folks. Having an SUV or a four wheel drive is not a license for stupidity. Don't think because you are bigger that you can go faster, or drive dumb. I see more SUV's in the ditch than the smaller vehicles. Having 4WD does not make you invincible!

It was a stormy winter day and I decided today was a good day to work from home.  I gave my eldest a kiss goodbye when he left for work, a huge hug and sent him off with "I love you, be careful!"  

He came home about 3 hours later never having made it to work.  I believe he had his guardian angle working overtime that day, for the car he was a passenger in blew a tire, flipped over, slid over 3 lanes of traffic and ended up in the ditch.

He and his two friends are alive today because of many factors:

• They all wore their seat belts
• Traffic was moving slowly
• A transport driver saw their trouble and moved between the lines on the road and blocked any traffic from hitting them.

So when I admonish you to be careful, I do so because I care.  That transport driver was one of those people who paid attention.  And I am ever grateful.

Again, I reiterate. If you don’t have to drive in it, do yourself a kindness and just don’t. If the weather hasn’t affected the electricity, snuggle in with your loved ones and share some much needed time together.

If you find yourself alone, what a good opportunity to snuggle up with a good book, a good glass of wine and some aromatic candles!

Winter is a beautiful season (especially in Canada), but it can give us some scary moments. Be safe out there and arrive alive.