When winter weather strikes, do not travel unless absolutely necessary. If you do have to travel in winter weather:
- Make sure you have survival gear such as blankets, a shovel, flashlight, and extra batteries, warm clothing, battery booster cables, quick energy foods and brightly-colored cloth to use as a distress flag.
- Keep a full tank of gas to prevent gasoline freeze up.
- If you have a cell phone for use, keep the battery charged. If you should become stranded you will be able to call for help advising rescuers of you location.
- Make sure someone knows your travel plans.
- Drive safely:
- Drive more slowly.
- Accelerate and decelerate slowly.
- Keep greater distance between you and the car ahead. Check traction by periodically tapping brakes.
- If car starts to slide, stop braking immediately, then reapply brakes more slowly.
- Steer into skids (look and steer where you want to go).
- Do not use cruise control when driving on slippery surfaces.
- Do not follow closer than 200-feet from the plow truck.
- Do not pass plow trucks unless instructed by the operator.
