| Winter blues have already started spreading over | | | | - Plan long trips carefully. |
| with the freezing breeze all over. During such | | | | - Listen to the radio or call the state highway |
| wintry climate you better stay alert, slow down | | | | patrol for the latest road conditions. |
| and stay in control while driving. | | | | Extra vehicular requirements |
| The leading cause of death during winter storms | | | | Prelim maintenance check upon |
| is transportation accidents. Preparing your vehicle | | | | Battery, belts and hoses, anti-freezer, radiator, oil, |
| and yourself for the winters and being aware of | | | | lights, flashing hazard lights, exhaust system, |
| due course of action to react are the keys to | | | | heater/defroster, wipers, thermo stat, ignition |
| safe winter driving. | | | | system, heaters, brakes, defroster Winter Tires |
| When the winters are back, there are certain | | | | Install good winter tires and the condition of your |
| pre-requisites to be kept in mind to set out the | | | | vehicle's tires is vital. Worn and damaged tires |
| new term "Winter Road Safety". Similar to the | | | | pose a serious problem to driving safety. In some |
| driving tips, laws; this constitutes the safety | | | | places, it is a driving law by DMV that requires |
| measures adopted to cope with snow or icy | | | | vehicles to be equipped with chains or snow tires |
| driving conditions. | | | | with studs to drive on their roads. Remember to |
| Intra vehicular requirements | | | | check tire air pressure as it tends to decrease in |
| These make up the things to be carried along | | | | colder weather. |
| with you while driving in winter season | | | | Clean & clear |
| These essential supplies can provide some | | | | Keep a windshield scraper and small broom for ice |
| comfort and safety for you and your passengers | | | | and snow removal. Clear snow and ice from all |
| should you become stranded. The recommended | | | | windows, lights, mirrors and the roof. |
| items include | | | | Fuel care |
| - Pocket knife | | | | Make sure your vehicle is ready for winter and |
| - Necessary medications - first aid kit | | | | keep your gas tank full. Make sure you have |
| - Ice scraper/snowbrush | | | | adequate windshield washer fluid in the reservoir |
| - Sand or other traction aid | | | | and that it is rated in the -40°C temperature |
| - Tow rope or chain | | | | range. |
| - Booster cables | | | | Hit the road |
| - Small shovel | | | | Keep the following driving tips as rules of thumb |
| - Set of tire chains or traction mats | | | | to ensure driving safety |
| - Sleeping bags | | | | - See and to be seen is the 1st policy - adequate |
| - Extra newspapers for insulation | | | | visibility is a must and there is no compromise or |
| - Plastic bags (for sanitation) | | | | substitute for this. |
| - Extra set of mittens, socks, and a wool cap, | | | | - Doubled Two second rule - leave sufficient |
| footwear | | | | spacing and in winter, especially when the weather |
| - Rain gear and extra clothes & blankets | | | | is worse, double the seconds of gap maintained |
| - Canned fruit and nuts | | | | between your vehicle and the vehicles ahead. |
| - Bottled water | | | | - Skid control - Roads are generally very slippery |
| - Gas line antifreeze | | | | in winters and its very important to have a |
| - Flashlight and batteries | | | | complete control of your vehicle at time of |
| - Road flares or warning lights | | | | skidding. Have your braking system totally tuned |
| - Brightly colored cloth to use as a flag | | | | up. In fact, you can manage these easily if are |
| - Fire extinguisher | | | | aware of defensive driving. Especially the one with |
| - Small tool kit - pliers, wrench, screwdriver | | | | truck driving abilities, add on these defensive |
| - Candle and Matches | | | | strategies for driving safety. |
| Personal care | | | | - Snow & Ice - watch out for these real |
| This section outlines on some of the simple | | | | problems in Winter, the snowy roads and the ice |
| survival cues to remember in winter drives. | | | | blocks. These hamper the ways and may stake |
| Though not set forth by DMV, these have been | | | | lives too. Anticipate carefully before your hit the |
| prescribed by the physicians as well experienced | | | | road. Determine the status of climate and the |
| drivers. | | | | highways through news channels, papers & |
| - Make sure you rest well before getting in the | | | | portals that provide driving safety news |
| car. | | | | Catastrophes |
| - Avoid fatigue while driving. Take a break for | | | | At times of getting stranded in between the loafs |
| every three hours and stretch your body during | | | | of ice or any other situation, you need to |
| long trips. | | | | - Draw attention to your vehicle. Use emergency |
| - Exercise a little to keep up circulation. Clap hands | | | | flashers, flares or a Call Police sign. |
| and move arms and legs occasionally. Maintain | | | | - If you carry a cell phone or are stuck in a place |
| circulation by moving your feet, hands and arms. | | | | with phone service, call for help. |
| - Watch out for signs of hypothermia - | | | | - If it is snowing hard, it is better to stay with in |
| Symptoms of hypothermia include uncontrollable | | | | your car! You may get confused in the storm and |
| shivering, slow speech, memory lapses, frequent | | | | may not be able to get back to your car. |
| stumbling, drowsiness, and exhaustion. | | | | - Be careful, if you try to free up your vehicle |
| - Dress warmly and huddle together for warmth | | | | from snow. Dress warmly, shovel slowly and do |
| generation. | | | | not overexert yourself. |
| - Wear loose-fitting, layered, lightweight clothing. | | | | Prior to all these, it is very essential not to get |
| - Try not to position yourself too long at one | | | | panicky of the situation else might land up no |
| place. If more than one person is in the car, take | | | | where. So guys! Take a chill pill and enjoy the ride |
| turns sleeping. Rotating drivers helps to reduce | | | | with caution. |
| fatigue on long trips. | | | | |