Winter Driving Tips: It’s the Holiday Season, and Our Kids are Driving on Icy Roads

Cj, because he’s an 18-year-old boy, is, of course, invincible. And, he has more of a sports car when mom would have rather he drove a tank (or at least an old International Scout).

I’ve heard that saying about your blood running cold, but this time I got to feel it and began planning to go put the tire chains on my truck and begin the nightmare track on Wyoming roads in a snow storm to get my baby.

Thankfully, he was at a town and could see a motel up the road, so we got him checked in and I was finally able to draw a deep breath when I knew he was snuggled safely in a Super 8. It took two more days, but he did finally arrive back at school in one piece (insert a heartfelt thank you prayer here!).

Of course I’ve tried to teach all of my kids how to drive safely in bad weather. How to get out of a skid, to wear their seatbelts, to not text and drive, etc. But the most important thing I’ve pounded into their thick skulls is when to have enough sense to just STOP. You know, that point where going on, no matter how badly you think you need to get to your destination, is simply suicidal.

“CJ, you can’t take your test if you’re dead.”  Ya know, simple little life facts like that. And, while having my youngest child out on the lonely roads of Wyoming in an unforgiving snow storm was terrifying, I just had to breathe a prayer of thanks that although he hadn’t had enough sense to check road and weather reports before leaving, he HAD had enough sense to know when going forward in those conditions was way beyond his skill set.

Since we’re smack in middle of the holidays, and I know there are hundreds of thousands of parents who, just like me, nearly hold their breath when their kids are coming home or going back to school on winter roads, I thought I’d provide some winter driving tips. I know our kids think they’ve heard it all, and maybe they have – but that doesn’t mean they remember or that they listened the first 157 times.

If they’re giving you grief like “mom, I KNOW!”, just tell them that Jesi knew too. Jesi was a beautiful, talented and very much loved redheaded 16-year-old who turned in front of a van and lost her life. She wasn’t a bad driver – she just had a couple seconds where her mind was somewhere else and now she has all of us, her family, her friends – living with a huge hole in all of our lives and hearts. And every year there are thousands of Jesi stories and thousands of families left with a grief I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy.

So, on to the tips – make the kids read them – heck, tattoo them to their arms!

Driving in Snow and Ice

The best advice for driving in bad winter weather is not to drive at all, if you can avoid it.

Don’t go out until the snow plows and sanding trucks have had a chance to do their work, and allow yourself extra time to reach your destination.

It’s helpful to practice winter driving techniques in a snowy, open parking lot, so you’re familiar with how your car handles. Consult your owner’s manual for tips specific to your vehicle. For more information on how to prepare your car for winter driving, click here.

Driving safely on icy roads

1. Decrease your speed and leave yourself plenty of room to stop. You should allow at least three times more space than usual between you and the car in front of you.
2. Brake gently to avoid skidding. If your wheels start to lock up, ease off the brake.
3. Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.
4. Keep your lights and windshield clean.
5. Use low gears to keep traction, especially on hills.
6. Don’t use cruise control or overdrive on icy roads.
7. Be especially careful on bridges, overpasses and infrequently traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet, you might encounter ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.
8. Don’t pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers have limited visibility, and you’re likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.
9. Don’t assume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive vehicles can encounter trouble on winter roads. Four and all-wheel drive vehicles will not stop or steer better in icy conditions.

Tips for long-distance winter trips:

• Watch weather reports prior to a long-distance drive or before driving in isolated areas. Delay trips when especially bad weather is expected. If you must leave, let others know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival.
• Always make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition by having it inspected by a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility.
• Keep at least half a tank of gasoline in your vehicle at all times.
• Pack a cellular telephone with your local AAA’s telephone number, plus blankets, gloves, hats, food, water and any needed medication in your vehicle.
• If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Don’t try to walk in a severe storm. It’s easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
• Don’t over exert yourself if you try to push or dig your vehicle out of the snow.
• Tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or place a cloth at the top of a rolled up window to signal distress. At night, keep the dome light on if possible. It only uses a small amount of electricity and will make it easier for rescuers to find you.
• Make sure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running.
• Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps.
• If possible run the engine and heater just long enough to remove the chill and to conserve gasoline.

If your rear wheels skid…

1. Take your foot off the accelerator.
2. Steer in the direction you want the front wheels to go. If your rear wheels are sliding left, steer left. If they’re sliding right, steer right.
3. If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get your vehicle completely under control.
4. If you have standard brakes, pump them gently.
5. If you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse — this is normal.

If your front wheels skid…

1. Take your foot off the gas and shift to neutral, but don’t try to steer immediately.
2. As the wheels skid sideways, they will slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you want to go. Then put the transmission in “drive” or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.

If you get stuck…

1. Do not spin your wheels. This will only dig you in deeper.
2. Turn your wheels from side to side a few times to push snow out of the way.
3. Use a light touch on the gas, to ease your car out.
4. Use a shovel to clear snow away from the wheels and the underside of the car.
5. Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel or salt in the path of the wheels, to help get traction.
6. Try rocking the vehicle. (Check your owner’s manual first — it can damage the transmission on some vehicles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you’re in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the vehicle gets going.
7. More Tips

Sources: National Safety Council, New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, Washington State Government Information & Services