Every winter, Michigan communities struggle to keep roads clear of snow and ice. This year, a shortage of road salt and skyrocketing salt prices make their task even more difficult.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), car accidents are the number one cause of death during winter storms. Defensive driving is important. Learning how to maneuver your vehicle when confronted with winter’s elements could mean the difference between life, death or serious injury.
Before you go, listen to the radio for announcements about accidents, road closings, and road advisories. Call your local highway department if this information is not available on the radio.
Plan your route ahead of time to avoid any roads that become dangerous during bad weather. If a road is closed or blocked, do not attempt to continue on this route.
Let someone know your route so that, if you do become stranded, your family can let authorities know where to start looking.
Be aware that bridges and overpasses freeze first. Slow down before reaching them and avoid sudden changes in speed or direction.
Use gentle motions while driving: accelerate gradually, turn slowly, and brake carefully and early. Avoid unexpected quick movements that could put you in a spin, by leaving ample room between you and adjacent cars. Anticipate turns, stops, and lane changes well in advance.
Conversely, don’t go too slow. Your car may need some momentum to be able to push through heavier snow without getting stuck.
Steer clear of trucks. They are heavier than cars and have considerably longer stopping distances. Their tires also tend to spray snow and rain into parallel lanes, further hindering your visibility.
If you have a vehicle with four-wheel drive, do not get overconfident and rely on this feature to get you out of a problem. The traction and force resulting from the transfer of engine power to all four wheels does help get you going from a stop, but it does not assist your vehicle’s braking ability. In fact, vehicles equipped with four-wheel drive often are heavier than similar two-wheel drive vehicles, and require more time and braking power to come to a stop.
See and be seen. Always keep your lights on while driving through rain, snow, and fog.
One of the greatest winter weather threats can be icy roads, and in particular, icy bridges. A bridge is exposed to air on all of its surfaces – on top, underneath and on its sides. In contrast, a normal road surface is exposed to air on only one side, its top surface. When temperatures drop, this means bridges will cool and accumulate snow and ice faster than roadways on solid ground.
The most dangerous aspect of an icy bridge is the element of surprise – it can catch drivers off guard, who are traveling at full speed because the rest of the road is either clear or just a little wet. The consequences of driving onto ice at highway speeds can be catastrophic, as the loss of control and impacts happen much faster than in most other conditions. Slides are often unrecoverable and chain-reaction type accidents are common, as additional vehicles may lose control in the same location.
No matter what type of road you are driving, always pay attention to your surroundings. Protect yourself and your family, and arrive at your destination safely!
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 at 5:08 pm and is filed under Uncategorized.
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