Hazards: Winter Driving & ALL Year Tips

[AJE]

Winter is a beautiful time of the year, especially when a fresh layer of new snow covers everything.

As a daughter of a Valders High School Driver's Education Instructor, I feel I need to mitigate a few safety tips for the upcoming season. Yesterday, there were over 200 driving mishaps in Brown County, Manitowoc county had over a dozen and 45 traffic woos in Winnebago County. Why did the accidents occar well first we had rain and then snow mix thus BLACK ICE.

"All off a sudden I went and I couldn't control it. I went up against the wall and bounced out. There was another guy, lucky he didn't come into my side, he spun around,"

a Shawano man described

We need to keep in mind winter can also be a very dangerous time of the year. If you plan on traveling during the winter, it pays to be prepared for the unexpected. Getting stranded during a winter storm can be a matter of life and death.

Simply following a few simple driving habits like planning ahead, driving at a safe and legal speed, driving alert and sober and buckling up could insure that you make it to your destination safely.

BEFORE[/u]
Have a mechanic check the following items on your car.
*Battery
*Antifreeze
*Wipers and windshield washer fluid
*Ignition system
*Thermostat
*Lights
*Flashing hazard lights
*Exhaust system
*Heater
*Brakes
*Defroster
*Oil level
* Install good winter tires. Make sure the tires have adequate tread. All-weather radials are usually adequate for most winter conditions. However, some areas require that to drive on their roads, vehicles must be equipped with chains or snow tires with studs.
*Keep a windshield scraper and small broom for ice and snow removal.
*Maintain at least a half tank of gas during the winter season.

*Dress warmly Wear layers of loose-fitting, layered, lightweight clothing. *Carry food and water.
*Store a supply of high energy "munchies" and several bottles of water.
You may want to contact your local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter for more information on winter driving.

Winter Car KitKeep these items in your car:
* Flashlights with extra batteries
* First aid kit with pocket knife
* Necessary medications
* Several blankets
* Sleeping bags
* Extra newspapers for insulation
* Plastic bags (for sanitation)
* Matches
* Extra set of mittens, socks, soral boots and a wool cap
* Extra clothes
* Small sack of sand for generating traction under wheels
* Small shovel (in case you need to dig out)
* Small tools (pliers, wrench, screwdriver)
* Booster cables
* Set of tire chains or traction mats
* Cards, games, and puzzles (its best to keep your mind active)
* Brightly colored cloth to use as a flag
* Canned fruit and nuts
* Nonelectric can opener
* Bottled water


If you must use your car during a storm:
*Plan your travel, selecting both primary and alternate routes.
*Let someone know your travel routes and itinerary so that, if you don't arrive on time, officials will know where to search for you.
*Plan long trips carefully. Listen to the radio or call the state highway patrol for the latest road conditions. Always travel during daylight and, if possible, take at least one other person.
*Try not to travel alone - two or three people are preferable.
*Travel in convoy (with another vehicle) if possible.
*Drive carefully and defensively. Watch for ice patches on bridges and overpasses.
*Take note of your odometer and coordinate it with exit numbers, mileposts, or crossroads so if you are in a crash or slide off the road you'll better be able to identify where you are and summon law enforcement officers, rescue workers, or tow truck operators more quickly to your location.
*If a storm begins to be too much for you to handle, seek refuge immediately.
*If your car should become disabled, stay with the vehicle, running your engine and heater for short intervals. Be sure to "crack" a window in the vehicle to avoid carbon monoxide build-up.

Be courteous to those awaiting your arrival:
*Call ahead to your destination just as you are leaving.
Let someone at your destination know the license number of your vehicle, what route you'll be traveling, and give a realistic estimate of your travel time.
*If you have a cell phone, give that number to the party at your destination.
*If you have friends or family at your place of origin, you should call when you arrive to let them know you have arrived safely.
*If road conditions, tiredness, etc. delay or postpone a trip, make a phone call. Let people on both ends know of the delay.

Remember its better to be safe than sorry!

[AJE]

IF TRAPPED IN CAR DURING A BLIZZARD
*Stay in the car.
*Do not leave the car to search for assistance unless help is visible within 100 yards. You may become disoriented and lost is blowing and drifting snow.
*Display a trouble sign.
*Hang a brightly colored cloth on the radio antenna and raise the hood.
*Occasionally run engine to keep warm.
*Turn on the car's engine for about 10 minutes each hour. Run the heater when the car is running. Also, turn on the car's dome light when the car is running.
*Beware of carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep the exhaust pipe clear of snow, and open a downwind window slightly for ventilation.
*Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia.
*Do minor exercises to keep up circulation.
*Clap hands and move arms and legs occasionally. Try not to stay in one position for too long. If more than one person is in the car, take turns sleeping.
*For warmth, huddle together.
*Use newspapers, maps, and even the removable car mats for added insulation.
*Avoid overexertion.
*Cold weather puts an added strain on the heart. Unaccustomed exercise such as shoveling snow or pushing a car can bring on a heart attack or make other medical conditions worse. Be aware of symptoms of dehydration.
*Wind Chill
"Wind chill" is a calculation of how cold it feels outside when the effects of temperature and wind speed are combined. A strong wind combined with a temperature of just below freezing can have the same effect as a still air temperature about 35 degrees colder.

Winter Storm Watches and Warnings
***A winter storm watch indicates that severe winter weather may affect your area. A winter storm warning indicates that severe winter weather conditions are definitely on the way.
***A blizzard warning means that large amounts of falling or blowing snow and sustained winds of at least 35 miles per hour are expected for several hours.

*Frostbite and Hypothermia
Frostbite is a severe reaction to cold exposure that can permanently damage its victims. A loss of feeling and a white or pale appearance in fingers, toes, or nose and ear lobes are symptoms of frostbite.
Hypothermia is a condition brought on when the body temperature drops to less than 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Symptoms of hypothermia include uncontrollable shivering, slow speech, memory lapses, frequent stumbling, drowsiness, and exhaustion.
*If frostbite or hypothermia is suspected, begin warming the person slowly and seek immediate medical assistance. Warm the person's trunk first. Use your own body heat to help. Arms and legs should be warmed last because stimulation of the limbs can drive cold blood toward the heart and lead to heart failure.
*Put person in dry clothing and wrap their entire body in a blanket.
*Never give a frostbite or hypothermia victim something with caffeine in it (like coffee or tea) or alcohol. Caffeine, a stimulant, can cause the heart to beat faster and hasten the effects the cold has on the body. Alcohol, a depressant, can slow the heart and also hasten the ill effects of cold body temperatures.

[AlumniClub]

Just because the snow has melted dont think the next small snowfall is nothing to worry about. Forecast shows small accumulation of slushy mix coming our way tonight. This can be just as dangerous to drive in as 2 feet of snow.



GB2

[AJE]

Deer safety tips


Be vigilant and drive cautiously in early morning and evening hours — the most active time for deer.

Heed deer crossing signs and speed limit signs.

Always wear a safety belt — there are fewer and less severe injuries in vehicle-deer crashes when safety belts are worn.

If you see a deer on the side of the road, slow down and blow your horn with one long blast to frighten the deer away.

When you see one deer, look for others. They seldom run alone.

If you see a deer looming, don't expect the deer to move away.

Brake firmly when you notice a deer in or near your path.

Do not swerve — it can confuse the deer as to where to run. It can also cause you to lose control and hit a tree or another car.

If you hit a deer, stay in your vehicle and do not touch the animal if it is still alive.

[AJE]

With Snowstorm Ava on her way this weekend for this region of Northeastern Wisconsin I would like to enforce all to use your best judgement when driving.

[CarolsCritterCare]

Wisconsin averages about 30 snowstorms per year, making snowy road conditions a common occurrence. During winter, adhere to the following tips:

Reduce your speed and be especially alert for black ice when crossing bridges.

Plan ahead to allow for more time to reach your destination.

Increase your following distance.

Allow for longer stopping distances when approaching intersections.

Avoid using cruise control when road conditions are icy.


Hydroplaning can occur when driving as slow as 35 miles per hour. If you sense your vehicle's tires have lost traction, ease off the gas pedal and keep, if possible, your wheels straight. Only hit the brakes when you feel the tires regain traction with the road.


When driving, you should always look 10 to 15 seconds ahead, which averages about one city block or about a quarter of a mile on a highway. This way you will have time to react to any sudden or potential hazards.


To avoid being blinded by an approaching vehicle's headlights at night, focus your eyes on the on the right side of the road. Also, maintain a speed that will allow you to stop within the distance of your headlights.

[CarolsCritterCare]

Wisconsin DOT is a great place to check for road conditions before heading out on your trip.

Winter Road Conditions