Just when you thought it was safe to get through another winter, just when we were all pleased that this weekend’s warm weather had thawed the last of the ice from the last storm ...
We find out what winter is really like.
It’s when you have to hang onto the side of your car so you don’t kill yourself trying to get into the driver’s seat that you realize just how dangerous winter driving can be.
So here are some tips from the Kansas Department of Transportation about how to keep safe if you have to drive in this weather. After all, there certainly more to come before we are safe in spring.
As the KDOT officials note: “Safe drivers know the weather, and their limits. If the weather is bad, remember: ‘Ice and snow, take it slow — or just don’t go.’”
The first step in driving safely is to clean off you car, believe it or not. “Remove any snow on your vehicle’s windows, lights, brake lights, signals and mirrors. Make sure you can see and be seen.”
Other tips include:
• Check your vehicle’s tires, wiper blades, fluids, lights, belts and hoses. A breakdown is bad on a good day and dangerous on a bad-weather day.
• Leave plenty of time to reach your destination safely. It’s not worth putting yourself and others
in a dangerous situation just to be on time.
• Watch out for other drivers who aren’t prepared for winter driving and may forget to take it slow.
Remember to drive well below the posted speed limit and leave plenty of room between cars.
• Stay attentive, reduce speed and know what’s going on around you. Use headlights as necessary.
And there is also the good advice to just say “No” to dangerous travel.
When conditions get too dangerous, it’s a better idea to change your plans, even if that means an inconvenience, than to try to drive when you shouldn’t and finding that your plans get changed for you while you’re waiting for a tow truck.
— Chuck Smith