Winter's Here: How do we do this again?

 

For parts of North Dakota, we're looking at a winter storm watch for later this week. We've been used to summer and fall driving conditions for a few months now, so it's a great time to review winter driving tips.

Remember to:

• Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Whether accelerating, stopping, or turning, nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement.

• Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is best to regain traction and avoid skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry, and take time to slow down for a stoplight. It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.

• Increase following distance. The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. This will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop on slippery roads.

• Know your brakes. Whether you have anti-lock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold braking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.

• Don’t stop if you can avoid it. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do it.

• Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Try to get a little inertia going before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you reach the crest of the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill as slowly as possible.

• Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Get some inertia going on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.

• STAY HOME! If you really don’t have to go out, don’t. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don’t tempt fate: If you don’t have somewhere you have to be, watch the snow from indoors.

 

 Now is a great time to put together a winter roadside survival kit too. Here are a few items to put in your car prior to this week's storm.

- Jumper cables 
- Small shovel 
- Carpet strips, sand, and/or cat litter for traction 
- Flashlight and batteries 
- Flares and/or reflective triangles, whistle 
- Ice scraper and brush 
- Tools
- Coffee can furnace (candle) and matches 
- First aid kit 
- Blanket, boots 
- Food and water (or a metal container to melt snow for drinking) 
- Cell phone