Snow in the Southwest
Posted on | December 19, 2011 |
Here in Minnesota, we drive on ice and snow most winters (OK, not this one, a reprieve after last year’s mammoth storms). We were reading through the weather report (yes, that’s what we do) and have some tips for the Southwest pulled from a larger article on driving in snow.
- If you must drive, clear off your windshield, windows, mirrors, headlights and brake lights (no one can see covered snow or ice covered brake lights).
- Make sure your wipers and headlights are turned on.
- Be patient – don’t rush! Remember, everyone else will be running late, too!
- Drive for the conditions. Go well below the speed limit – ice, snow, traffic and poor visibility will require longer following and stopping distances (allow at least 8 to 10 seconds for stopping).
- If you do come across a snow plow or sand truck, don’t panic, drive slowly and give them the right of way.
- Drive slow, leave plenty of room for stopping distance (at least 150 ft.) and pay attention to the snow plow and what it is doing.
- Snow plows and sand trucks may stop, back up or turn around suddenly
- Stay in the inside lane (the one furthest away from the curb) on multi-lane roads. Single lane road? Drive closer to the middle of the road. Why? Snow tends to drift and pile up on to the sides of the road.
- Drive in tire tracks that have already been established.
- Don’t changes lanes unless it’s necessary – you could catch a wheel in the heavy snow or an ice patch and lose control.
- Watch out for black ice. Black ice is common under bridges and overpasses. It’s called black ice because it’s dark and hard to see.
- If you need to make an emergency stop, don’t pump the brakes if your car has an Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS). When you release the brake, your car’s brake system will turn off and on.
- If you are stranded or stuck in a snowbank, do the following:
- Using the shovel in your winter car emergency kit, clear away the snow from around the tires, under the car and near the exhaust.
- If you have sand in your car, scatter it around the front tires (for front-wheel drive cars) or around the rear-tires (for rear-wheel drive cars).
- Put the car in a low gear and go SLOW – do not spin the tires! This could ruin your clutch or transmission and create ice under your tires.
- If the situation allows (and it’s safe), try to slowly “rock” the car back and forth to build a small amount of momentum.
- Call roadside assistance if you are unable to free the car.
Good luck during this holiday travel week!!
- Susan
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