The Road to Driving Safety: How to survive winter's hazards

from Interim HealthCare's HealthCare Professional Digest

Over the long months of warm weather, we forget how to drive safely when winter rears its sometimes ugly head. Sleet, snow, freezing rain and street ice all pose dangers for even experienced drivers.

And, as a home healthcare professional or hospital staffing nurse, you don't have the luxury of pulling the bed covers over your head and waiting for the mess to thaw. You have patients who need you, regardless of the weather.

So, here are some ways you can keep yourself safe, no matter what winter throws your way.

Before you get behind the wheel

If you haven't already, you should immediately "winterize" your car. Having it prepared for cold weather will help you get your car started -- and keep it safely on the road. So, be sure to:

• Ask your mechanic to check your car's battery, antifreeze, wipers/windshield washer fluid, ignition system, thermostat, lights/hazard lights, exhaust system, heater, brakes, defroster and oil level/weight.
• Inspect your tires for adequate tread.
• Put a windshield scraper and small broom in your trunk for ice and snow removal.
• Put together a car kit including: a flashlight and extra batteries, first aid kit, blankets, newspapers for insulation, matches, warm clothes, small tools, booster cables, brightly colored cloth, canned fruit and nuts, nonelectric can opener and bottled water.
• Put a few bags of sand in your trunk over the rear axle if you have a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. Line them up with the center of your wheels. If you drive a front-wheel-drive car, forget the sandbags.
• Know how your car handles ice and snow. If you're not sure, go to an empty, ice- or snow-covered parking lot and practice. Slam on your brakes, try to turn into the skid and see what happens. And keep on doing this until you know how to regain control of your car.
• Don't go anywhere with less than a half-tank of gas. If you get stuck or stranded, the engine will be your only source of heat. Plus, keeping your tank close to full will prevent warm daytime temperatures from filling empty space in the tank with moisture, which can condense during the cold night and, sooner or later, rust out your tank.

Rolling, rolling, rolling

Once winter comes, there's always the possibility of encountering adverse road conditions. And just like it's not very smart to drive around with the convertible top down during the winter, you have to adjust your driving tactics and techniques if the weather turns nasty.

For instance, in inclement weather, you should:

• Listen to your radio or call the state highway patrol for the latest road conditions.
• Give yourself some extra time.
• Clear snow and ice from all your windows and lights, as well as the hood and roof -- before driving.
• Never warm up your car in an enclosed area (carbon monoxide can quickly build up).
• Always wear your safety belt.
• When snow's on the ground, and the day's very bright, wear sunglasses.
• Start out in the lowest gear recommended by your vehicle's manufacturer.
• Decrease your driving speed and proceed according to road and weather conditions.
• Keep your headlights on. (But never use your high beams since they reflect the snow and make it more difficult for you to see.)
• Leave plenty of room between your car and the one in front of you, and brake early.
• Be extra careful when crossing bridges. They really do ice up first.
• Look farther ahead in traffic. What other drivers do can alert you to problems and give you extra time to react to them.
• Watch electronic highway signs for information
• When it's freezing or below, don't use your cruise control or overdrive. Touching your brakes to deactivate cruise control can cause you to lose control of your vehicle if you're on ice or snow. Overdrive automatically accelerates or downshifts your car when you're on a hill, and that can cause a loss of traction.
• Don't think you're indestructible just because you have four-wheel drive. Four-wheel drive may help you get to your destination quicker, but it won't help you stop any faster if you hit an icy spot.
• Never pump anti-lock brakes. Instead, "stomp and steer."
• Unless it's absolutely necessary, never pass a snowplow or salt/sand spreader.
• If driving conditions worsen, turn on your four-way flashers, get off the highway to a safe area and wait for the visibility and road conditions to improve.

I never thought it'd happen to me

Despite your best efforts, you might find yourself trapped in bad weather. Don't panic. You can get through this, too, if you:

• Stay in your car unless help is visible within 100 yards.
• Hang a brightly colored cloth on your radio antenna, and raise your car's hood.
• Run your car's engine and heater for about 10 minutes each hour. You can also turn on your car's dome light at the same time if you need to.
• Clear snow from the exhaust pipe periodically, and open a downwind window slightly to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Watch for any signs of frostbite, hypothermia or dehydration.
• To aid in circulation, clap your hands and move your arms and legs from time to time.
• Use newspapers, maps and car mats for added insulation.
• Don't overexert yourself. Shoveling snow from your car or pushing your car can bring on a heart attack if you're not in tip-top shape.
• Always carry a cell phone. If you don't want to sign up for a plan, invest in a pre-paid cell phone. You can get one for $30 or so, and some companies have calling cards you can purchase for as little as $10 for a month's activation. A few even allow you to make 911 calls if you don't have any time left on your card -- as long as you did an initial activation when you purchased the phone and first loaded up time. But make sure you get a card without an activation fee. Once the bad weather is over, you can just put the phone away until winter comes back to town.

By following these tips you should be able to "weather" winter and all its hazards just fine. But if the thought of driving on ice and snow still gives you goose bumps, the Car Talk Guys offer a sure-fire way to get around safely during those months between November and April -- move to Hawaii.

Sources: Washington State Department of Transportation, TDC Marketing and Management Consultation and Car Talk.