Posted: Feb. 11, 2011 It
seems we are all winter-weary by now, but we have another six weeks to
go until spring. With all the snow and ice on roads, driving safely in the winter can be a challenge.
Jamie Norris,
Assistant General Foreman of the North Castle Highway Department,
emphasized the importance of letting the town plows clear and treat the
roads after a storm, before you head out. He also cautioned everyone to
slow down when approaching intersections.
“We’re trying our best to keep up with snow removal and we know it can be a challenge to see over snow banks. We’ve been working on removing some of the snow to lower the height of the snow banks, but it takes time,” Jamie said.
Steve Mochel, owner of Fresh Green Light, a driving instruction school with offices in Rye and Greenwich, is very familiar with safety concerns during winter driving. “By far, the most dangerous condition in the winter for drivers is black ice. The problem is that you don’t know it’s there until you’re driving over it. In those situations, the best thing you can do is to take your foot off the accelerator and keep the steering wheel straight; also, do not hit the brakes. Black ice is very prevalent on exit ramps, so slow down well in advance of your exit on a parkway or highway,” Steve said. He added that when skidding, always steer in the direction you want to be going. Many baby-boomers were erroneously taught to steer in the direction of the skid.
Another important factor in winter driving which is often ignored is keeping tires properly inflated. Some cars have computer sensors that indicate when tire pressure is low, but many do not. Steve emphasized, “Keep your tires properly inflated for maximum traction. The tire pressure for a car is usually located on the inside of the driver’s door or in the manual. Tires should be checked on a regular basis, especially with all the potholes present in winter.” Steve also recommended adding snow tires on front wheel drive vehicles for better traction on the slippery roads.
Defensive driving is especially important during the winter months. “Everyone with an SUV should clean the top of his car, but unfortunately, many people don’t. Stay clear of vehicles with ice or snow on their tops when you’re on a highway. And be alert; driving should be your first priority, which means both hands on the wheels and off cell phones,” Steve cautioned.
Steve stressed the importance for parents of teen drivers to take the time to familiarize them with hazardous driving conditions before their teens encounter them. He suggested that parents take their new drivers to a wide open parking lot and have them practice driving on ice and snow. “Practicing really helps. At least when they find themselves in these tricky situations, it won’t be as alarming. And keep reminding your kids to take it slow in the winter. Parental involvement is the most influential factor for teens in learning to drive safely,” Steve said.
Steve recommended some “must haves” to keep in your car in the months ahead. These include: windshield wiper fluid, blanket, cell phone and charger, flashlight, jumper cables, bottled water, scraper, shovel and good old-fashioned kitty litter. Kitty litter is the most effective traction remedy when stuck on ice. “You never know when you may get caught in a storm and you could be miles from a gas station. Windshield-wiper fluid can be a real life saver in those instances. And make sure your wiper blades are cleaning properly. Also, if you’re planning to drive a distance, fill up your tank before you leave,” Steve stressed.
Steve stressed the importance of keeping your eyes on the road at all times, especially during the winter. He emphasized, “Staying alert and keeping distractions to a minimum will help keep you safer when driving any time of the year.”
