If there's one piece of advice weather and safety experts agree upon when it comes to driving on snow- and ice-covered roadways, it is this: Your best bet is to avoid it.
Officials with the Missouri Department of Transportation routinely urge motorists to stay home and avoid driving altogether, if possible, during winter-weather events.
Reduced traffic not only helps reduce the opportunity for drive-offs and crashes, but also helps crews clear roadways more quickly, since snow plows don't have to navigate their way around stranded vehicles.
However, if you must drive, a little preparation can make a big difference.
Here are some tips that can help keep you safe on the road when winter weather strikes:
Ensure your car is road worthy
The U.S. Army Safety Center advises you to check your vehicle(s) prior to winter weather to make sure the systems you'll depend on are working properly.
That includes checking your tires, tire pressure, battery, belts and hoses, lights, oil, brakes, exhaust system, heater, defroster, windshield wipers and ignition system.
Know what you're getting into
Not all winter events are the same, and snow and ice accumulations on roads can differ greatly from your starting point to your destination. Pay attention to weather alerts and reports on local television and radio stations.
MoDOT provides road-condition information by phone at 888.275.6636 and online at traveler.modot.org/map.
Fort Leonard Wood road conditions are available through SNAIR by calling 573.563.4141, visiting the post Facebook page at Caution-www.facebook.com/fortleonardwoodmissouri/ or the post home page at Caution-www.wood.army.mil/snair/snair.pdf.
Authorized personnel can also have severe weather updates pushed to their smart phones through the AtHoc program, accessible by clicking the "AtHoc Alerts Setup" hyperlink at Caution-www.wood.army.mil/newweb/weather.html.
Allow extra time
Allow yourself plenty of time to reach your destination safely.
Be prepared
Keep items in your car you may need if you get stranded, such as food, water and emergency blankets.
Also keep emergency equipment on hand, such as a flashlight, jumper cables or an equivalent jump box, sand or kitty litter for traction, an ice scraper, snow brush, a small shovel and warning devices, such as flares or reflectors.
Let someone know when you leave, where you're going and when you should arrive, and make sure your cell phone is fully charged before you head out the door.
Maximize visibility
Make sure you can see and that other motorists can see you by removing all snow and ice from the windshield, windows, mirrors, license plates, lights and turn signals. MoDOT advises drivers to turn on their headlights.
Practice road safety
Once on the road, reduce your speed. On its website, MoDOT notes that speed limits are based on normal conditions, not winter road conditions.
Officials recommend avoiding quick starts, stops and fast turns. Accelerate, brake and steer smoothly and gradually. Don't use cruise control, and always wear your seat belt.
Keep at least three car lengths behind the vehicle in front of you.
Don't slam your brakes
Apply steady pressure on ABS-equipped vehicles and pump the brakes if necessary on non-ABS vehicles.
Use extra caution on bridges, ramps, overpasses and shaded areas. They may freeze first. Black ice is more common on these areas.
If you do get stuck
If parked or stuck in snow, leave a window slightly cracked for ventilation and make sure your vehicle exhaust system is clear of snow. Snow packed in or around the exhaust pipe can cause high levels of carbon monoxide in the car.
Wrap yourself in blankets, only running the car's heater for a few minutes every hour to keep warm if the vehicle is low on gas
Stay in the vehicle. Don't leave to search for help, because it's easy to become disoriented and lost in blowing and drifting snow.
Display a trouble sign, and/or hang a brightly colored cloth on the antenna.
Visit the MoDOT website at modot.mo.gov/road_conditions/winterdrivingtips.htm for more information.
(Editor's note: Information provided by the Missouri Department of Transportation, the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Safety Office, the Army Safety Center, Fort Rucker, Ala., and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.)
Related Links:
Missouri Department of Transportation
Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood Facebook
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