Let’s face it: our line of work requires a lot of driving. And to misquote a line from The Hunt for Red October…and adopt your best Sean Connery voice as you read this: “Be careful where (and how) you drive. Most things here don’t react well to snow and ice.”
The OSHA recommendations are worth heeding. But here’s a slightly more interesting list of our top 20 tips to keep you safely mobile:
- Cleanliness is next to Godliness. Clear all the glass. All of it. Every single speck.
- Allow time to preheat your car. I know we all know that, but resist the temptation to try and make up for leaving late by setting out with inadequate preparation.
- Get up in time to check weather and snow conditions. Find a good local channel for current warnings of delays or accidents. Adjust your route accordingly.
- If you can avoid bridges and overpasses, do so. Plunging over a railing isn’t anyone’s idea of a good day.
- Check your tires and be sure the air pressure is sufficient. There’s a lot of technical physics teacher geek talk about cold and tire pressure. When my husband starts in there is a lot of eye rolling. Take my advice: Just do it.
- Time is your friend. Allow extra time to reach your destination.
- Deep space. No, not the Star Wars variety, the good old fashioned kind of extra space between cars. Allow more space.
- Always have an escape plan. If the car in front of me swerves, I can swing into the left lane. Being hyper-aware saves lives.
- Drive like everyone is out to kill you.
- Try not to curse.
- Don’t get cocky and use your cruise control. Be a control freak and be the driver.
- If you are lucky enough to encounter a snow plow and if you have paid attention to tip #6, cozy into an abiding friendship and follow it for as long as possible. Slow, yes, but also safer.
- If you are sliding and even think about your brakes, you’re going in the ditch. Plant your feet firmly on the floor and resist the temptation to put your foot to the pedal.
- Literally drive like your grandma is riding shotgun with a hot bowl of chili in her lap.
- If you can, use your gear shift for braking and let those rpms to help you slow down.
- If you start to slide, steer into the direction your rear end is sliding. Gently.
- Find a snowy deserted parking lot to practice, and you will learn how hard you can accelerate without spinning out.
- To start from a stop light, don’t accelerate with your gas pedal. Let off your brake and let your car idle into a slow rolling speed.
- Be a Boy Scout: Set up a carryall in your trunk with blankets, water, food, cat litter and sandbags.
And…drumroll: Our #20 tip: Invest in some good all weather or snow tires. I know. $$$$ But they cost less than a crash, so there’s that. Our fearless leader wants you there in one piece. So does your family.
Winter officially starts on December 21st, but it storms into our lives without any care for our plans or whether or not we like to be cold…so make the best of it with preparation, protection and prevention.
