It’s fall so college football season is winding down and Daylight Savings fall back is over. Now comes the beginning of inclement weather and poor driving conditions.
Not even a Michigan fan has to steal signs from Mother Nature to know that winter is on the way. This is the perfect time to discuss the basics of preparing for and driving in winter weather.
Winter driving necessitates some extra gear in your truck:
- Extra clothing that includes heavy shirts and warm outerwear that you can layer.
- Gloves, blankets, and a good flashlight.
- Tire chains.
- Jumper cables.
- Snow scrapers and brushes.
A scoop shovel is a good idea, too, if you have somewhere to put one. The aforementioned items are
in preparation for an emergency. Everyone will agree it’s important to have a heavy coat if you break down or tire chains if you encounter icy roads or slick grades.
But there are precautions you can take to avoid some emergencies:
- Check the weather before you go anywhere. Don’t knowingly drive in bad weather.
- Slow down if you are on slick roads or whiteout conditions.
- Be extra cautious of black ice when crossing bridges or overpasses. Elevated surfaces freeze faster than the highway.
- Watch the spray from the tires on the vehicles around you. If you don’t see spray, the potential for black ice or frosty, slick roads has increased.
- Drivers should increase their following distance in the winter. Be sure you have enough space to stop or maneuver in unexpected traffic situations.
- Brake and accelerate slowly. Sudden changes in both speed and steering can lead to catastrophic events on bad roads.
Last, and most importantly, a good driver shuts down when he encounters too much snow, ice or high winds. Pinnacle terminal staffs work hard to stay ahead of the weather and to communicate with drivers.
But the best practice is to be prepared, know the weather forecasts for where you’re going and to drive carefully, as always.
Happy trails,
Brian M.
