Safe Winter Travel

By Stan G. Kain

 

Watching the changing colors of fall foliage, I'm reminded that winter isn't far away.  Living in Maine, winter storms are part of our daily lives.  I'm reminded that the Red Cross classifies winter storms as, “deceptive killers.”  According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, about seventy percent of automobile accidents, resulting in death, are ice-or-snow related.  Although most Mainers are familiar with winter driving precautions, statistics show the basics are worthy of review.

 

When discussing winter travel preparedness, drivers must consider their personal needs, as well as making sure their automobile is ready to face unforeseen conditions.  While avoiding driving in known hazardous conditions is the wisest choice, storms may strike with little or no warning.  Likewise, driving may be necessary.  Time spent in preparation  is your best defense.  If winter weather deteriorates, the prepared driver is less likely to panic and stress out.  Panic and stress are leading factors in making the wrong choice during an emergency.

 

Preparing Your Automobile

 

Before frigid temperatures set in, have your vehicle prepared for winter driving.  As part of your regular auto maintenance, have the battery condition checked.  Cold weather and a weak battery can leave you stranded.  Likewise, winter demands a greater use of lights, so make sure they're working properly.  Also, make sure all belts and hoses are checked along with routine maintenance.  During winter, you must have a vehicle that will start and not leave you stranded with mechanical failure.  Don't forget to have the cooling system fluid checked.  A simple test can be performed to make sure your coolant will withstand the winter cold.  Drivers should keep the gas tank at least half full, to avoid gas line freeze.  Additive in the gas tank can also keep moisture from freezing in the lines.

 

Emergency Travel Supplies

 

Drivers should consider emergency travel supplies as an essential part of preparing their car for winter driving.  Every driver should consider their personal needs, when preparing emergency supplies.  If special medications are necessary, pack enough extra in the event you are stranded away from home.  The Red Cross, National Weather Service and most state police agencies offer suggestions for emergency winter travel supplies.  Here's a list of the essentials you should make sure are in your vehicle.

 

   Battery-powered radio and extra batteries(NOAA weather radio coverage)

   Flashlight and extra batteries

   Blankets or sleeping bags

   Booster cables for starting automobile

   Fire extinguisher (5 lb., A-B-C type)

   First aid kit and manual

   Bottled water

   Non-perishable high-energy foods, such as granola bars, raisins or peanut butter

   Compass or GPS and road maps

   Shovel

   Tire repair kit and pump

   Flares and/or reflective emergency triangles

   Extra dry clothing

   Sack of sand or kitty litter(for tire traction)

   Tow rope

   Knife

   Pencil and paper

   Candles(even one lit candle can provide emergency heating)

   Matches

   Cell phone (or at least quarters to make telephone calls at a pay phone)

   Red bandanna(tie to car antenna when help is needed)

 

Motorists should consider the above items merely a suggestion.  Personal modifications to the list are recommended.  Make a checklist and be sure you have everything you need, before making a winter driving trip.

 

Possibly one of the best suggestions, before leaving on a winter trip, is making a trip plan.  Pilots file a flight plan before takeoff.  The same basics should be part of your winter driving plan.  Make sure you advise someone of your trip plans.  Call ahead to your destination and let someone know when you intend to leave, what route you will be traveling and your expected time of arrival.  If someone at your starting point and someone at your destination know your plans, help can reach you much more quickly, in the event of an emergency.

 

Drivers should remain alert, not only to highway conditions, during hazardous weather.  Know where you are.  Motorists should pay attention to mile markers and highway exit numbers.  Know the state, county or interstate number for the road you are traveling.  Know what county or city you are near.  As basic as it may sound, know what direction you are traveling.  One of my favorite driving tools, for any season, is a handheld GPS (Global Positioning System)  A GPS is a device used for nearly all forms of navigation.  Relying on satellites to fix your position, the GPS will show you exactly where you are located, both on a map screen and the precise longitude and latitude.  With the coordinates and a cell phone, rescuers will pinpoint your location within nine feet.  A GPS can be purchased for about $100.00 and well worth the investment.

 

Winter Driving

 

Winter driving demands an alert driver.  Before starting your trip, brush the snow off your vehicle.  Remove ice and snow from all glass surfaces and make sure snow has been removed from headlights and tail lights.  Other motorists need to be able to see you.  Make sure you adjust your driving speed and distances between other vehicles.  Most accidents occur when a motorist is driving too fast for existing conditions.  Ice and snow demand greater stopping distances.  Remember that overpasses and bridges freeze more quickly that other parts of the roadway.  If you begin to skid, remain calm, ease your foot off the gas and turn your wheels in the direction you want the front of the car to go.  If you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS), apply steady pressure to the brake pedal.  Never pump the brakes on an ABS equipped vehicle.

 

If You Become Stranded in a Winter Storms

 

Even the most prepared driver may find themselves stranded in dangerous winter weather.  At best, mechanical breakdown, accident or just violent weather can interrupt a winter trip.  Panic or lack of preparation can quickly change an interruption to a deadly scene.  If you are forced to stop, especially in a remote area, know what to do. 

 

The National Weather Service reports that many people die each year when they attempt to leave their vehicle during a storm.  Do not leave your vehicle, in search of help.  Your best chance of rescue is to stay with your vehicle.  Do not panic.  Tie a red bandanna to your automobile antenna as a signal for help.  If you are able to start the engine, keep the car running for ten minutes out of each hour, using the heater.  Make sure the exhaust is clear, or you could become a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning.  Leave a window partially open, as an extra precaution.  Keep the interior lights on, while the engine is running, as this provides additional heat.  Keep moving your arms and legs, as this will forestall hypothermia. 

 

If your car won't start, use one of your emergency candles for heat.  While a single candle doesn't sound like a useful heat source, that flame has saved many lives in stranded vehicles.  Use your spare dry clothing and sleeping bags for additional warmth.  Again, make sure you keep moving your arms and legs to aid circulation.  Again, staying with your car is the sensible option.  Help will arrive and you will be found.

 

The best option, if stranded, of course, is to call for assistance by cell phone.  Most state police have an emergency number or place a call to 9-1-1.  Make sure you give the operator specific information as to your emergency and your location.  The more precise you describe your situation, the more quickly appropriate assistance will reach you.

 

Surviving Cold

 

There is always a possibility that you will be stranded in icy temperatures.  Taking preventive measures and knowing the symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia can reduce injury.  Prevention is the first choice in avoiding cold related injury.  Wear several layers of loose-fitting clothing to insulate your body.  The layers will trap warm, dry air inside.  Loosely woven cotton and wool are best for trapping warm air and resisting dampness.  The head and neck lose heat faster than any other part of the body.  Your cheeks, ears and nose are the most prone to frostbite.  Wear a hat, scarf and turtleneck sweater to protect these areas.

 

Frostbite is difficult to judge until hours after thawing.  Frostbite may be classified as superficial.  Skin becomes patchy with white, waxy or grayish-yellow on the affected areas.  The skin feels cold and numb.  Skin surfaces feel stiff and underlying tissue feels soft, when depressed.  With deep frostbite, skin appears waxy and pale.  The affected parts feel cold, hard and solid.  Skin cannot be depressed.  Large blisters may appear after warming the skin.

 

If you suffer from frostbite, get to a warm place immediately.  Remove constrictive clothing, which can impair circulation.  Place dry, sterile gauze between affected toes and fingers.  This will absorb moisture and keep them from sticking together.  Elevating the affected part will help reduce pain and swelling.  If you are more than one hour from medical treatment, and you have warm water, treat the frostbitten area with warm water for about 20 to 40 minutes.  Make sure the water is warm and not hot.  If you have a thermometer, the water temperature should be between 102 and 106 degrees Fahrenheit.  It is essential that medical treatment is given as quickly as possible.  Do not rub or massage the frostbite area and above all, do not rub the affected area with snow or ice.

 

Hypothermia is a condition in which the body loses more heat than it produces.  Initial symptoms of hypothermia include a change in mental status, uncontrollable shivering, cool abdomen and a low core body temperature.  Severe hypothermia may cause rigid muscles, dark and puffy skin, irregular heartbeat and respiration and unconsciousness. 

 

The most important step in treating a victim of hypothermia is protecting the victim from further heat loss.  Get the victim out of the cold.  If the victim is wearing wet clothing, it is essential to replace the wet clothing with dry.  Add insulation, such as blankets, pillows, towels or newspapers, beneath and around the victim.  Be sure to cover the victim's head.  Again, heat loss must be stopped, so the victim's own body heat can overcome the cold.  Always handle the hypothermia patient gently.  Rough handling may result in cardiac arrest.  Keep the victim in a horizontal(flat)position until medical assistance can be given.  Medical attention should begin as soon as possible.

 

As we've shown, preparedness is the best way to avoid a winter driving disaster.  Become familiar with your local National Weather Service office.  Before starting any winter travel, check NOAA weather radio, the Weather Channel or other local sources for current weather conditions.  The weather service provides you with the best source of weather forecasting.  Know what weather lies ahead on your trip.  NOAA weather radio will provide a constant update on changing weather patterns.  Check with your state Department of Transportation or state police, regarding highway hazards and road conditions.

 

If you can avoid a trip during hazardous weather, do so.  This is your best option.  Wait until the storm passes.  If this is not possible and the trip is necessary, sensible preparation can save your life.