Check your local media, call 511, or go online for information. Winter weather related warnings, watches and advisories are issued by your local national weather service office. Winter driving safety stay off of the road if possible if this is not possible accelerate slowly increase your following distance brake early approach bridges, shaded spots and turns slowly never use cruise control use snow tires or chains. Hurricanes can spawn tornadoes, landslides and floods, so if youre in a hurricanes path, you should take extra precautions to ensure a safe evacuation and return to the area. Driving in the winter can be harrowing, especially in snowstorms and icy conditions. Remember, if winter weather is forecast, eliminate all unnecessary travel.
Taking preventive action is your best defense against having to deal with extreme cold weather conditions. Check your car manual and find out if your vehicle has safety assist technology. A winter storm watch indicates that severe winter weather may affect your area. There are a number of simple precautions the rsa advises for driving over the. Top 10 tips for winter driving taking a number of simple precautions can ensure safety on irish roads during winter. Some of the most important tips for safe winter driving include. Adverse weather and longer periods of darkness especially after the clocks go back at the end of october makes driving more hazardous. You should practice winter weather driving at night so that it is more realistic. Driving a tractor trailer in serious winter conditions, demands a specific set of skills for all professional truck drivers. Sharpen your winter weather driving skills and know how your. This will keep you and your family safe and allow penndot to more easily perform its winter duties.
Dec 22, 2017 now that snow is here, its time to get outside. If you must travel during a winter storm, try to plan ahead. This information is from the wisconsin department of. Whether youre just out of truck driver school or a seasoned veteran on the roads, winter weather can make operating your rig a tricky proposition use these winter driving safety tips for commercial drivers to make sound decisions and be safe out on the roads this winter.
See your vehicle owners manual for specific recommendations on coolant. Yes, this is common sense but how many of us jump in our vehicle when the weather looks nice and end up in a storm. Precautions to take winterize your car before the bad weather hits. Check out ontario 511, the pretrip planning tool that lets drivers know about events that may impact their travel on provincial highways. Additionalpreparationscanhelpmakeatripsafer,orhelp. Winter driving winter in illinois means everything from fog, rain, ice, snow, slippery roads, and poor visibility. Winter driving tips severe weather can be both frightening and dangerous for travelers. For example, the amount of snow that triggers a winter storm warning in the. Avoid using cruise control in winter driving conditions. Winter contingency plan winter driving precautions. Review preparation tips and precautions for a safe winter adventure.
Be prepared for winter driving national safety council. Always match your speed to the road and weather conditions. This pamphlet contains information on vehicle systems driver preparation, winter driving techniques maximizing traction, maintaining safe following distance and changing speed smoothly and additional hints and precautions helpful to drivers of front, rear and all wheel drive vehicles. Winter storms, bad weather and sloppy road conditions are a factor in nearly half a million crashes and more than 2,000 road deaths every winter, according to research by the aaa foundation for traffic safety. But in moreorless normal winter weather, driving is more about care and attention than fear and loathing. By following these tips and advice, youll be ready for winter driving. Employers requiring information on other aspects of winter safety are welcome to contact rospas infocentre. View these tips from aaa to help motorists driving in adverse weather conditions. The company requires that all drivers follow the winter contingency plan and use all precautions necessary to operate safely in inclement weather. When traveling in colder climates one must always be ready for whatever you may encounter.
By preparing your home and car in advance for winter emergencies, and by observing safety precautions during times of extremely cold weather, you can reduce the risk of weatherrelated health problems. Following are some winter driving safety tips to help you prepare for the elements before you face them. Carry items in your vehicle to handle common winter drivingrelated tasks, such as cleaning off your windshield, as well as any supplies you might need in an emergency. Each office knows the local area and will issue warnings, watches or advisories based on local criteria. Us dept of commerce national oceanic and atmospheric administration national weather service weatherready nation 25 east west highway silver spring, md 20910. Winter driving tips for truck drivers roadmaster drivers school. Start the season off right by ensuring your vehicle is in optimal condition. Winter weather safety what to do when driving weather. If you must travel during winter weather, preparing your car in advance, knowing the forecast and driving based on road conditions are three key ways to help you drive more safely. Winter brings some of the most challenging driving conditions. Winter driving tips for the trucker a professional drivers. Winter storm warning a significant winter storm or hazardous winter. Put a sack or old rug in front of the driving wheels to give the tyres some grip.
Cdc is a 15page pdf that covers planning ahead for cold weather, indoors and outdoor safety in cold weather, and cold weather health conditions. Winter 2008 winter safety tips emergency contacts jhmi 54444 homewood 67777. Inspect the vehicle to ensure the following systems are operating. Taking preventive action is your best defense against having to deal with extreme coldweather conditions.
You can take some simple precautions to minimize the risk of accidents and injuries. Cold, wet weather can produce dangerous conditions for vehicle operators, especially if driving a vehicle with which you are not familiar. Keep two hands on the wheel distance yourself from trucks, buses, and vehicles towing trailers keep an eye out for debris, downed powerlines, and branches. It takes longer to stop a car during the winter weather so slow down and allow. And you need to pay attention to the weather reports to be sure no howler is coming. Winter storm watch a significant winter weather event i. Inspect the following vehicle systems and ensure they are operating properly. En espanol if you were to read many lists of winter driving tips, you would park the car and not venture out, terrified to be in a horrible accident or trapped in some siberianstyle wasteland yes, winter at least in areas with snow and ice is a challenge on the road.
Winter driving tips december 2017 winter driving tips driving in the winter is very different than in other times of the year. Winter storms, bad weather and sloppy road conditions are a factor in nearly half a. Cornell cooperative extension winter weather safety. Dehydration is an important symptom to look out for if you are stranded in your. Schedule extra time for winter travel and be patient during ice and snow removal operations.
Visit your mechanic for a tuneup and other routine maintenance. Indot wants you and your family to stay safe on the roads this winter. Winter weather hazardsprecautions occupational safety. In addition to annual maintenance, here are some tips to winterize your car. Make sure the vehicle is in good operational condition. This safety training video covers nine ways to prevent cold weather slips.
The following items should be considered when developing winter contingency plans. By preparing your home and car in advance for winter emergencies, and by observing safety precautions during times of extremely cold weather, you can reduce the risk of weather related health problems. Inspect the vehicle to ensure the following systems are operating properly. Dec 04, 2019 yes, winter at least in areas with snow and ice is a challenge on the road. Safe winter driving occupational safety and health. Information about winter safe driving and shareable resources in a variety of formats. Take frequent rests, and again, be aware of the precautions to take with extreme cold temperatures. Plan your stops and keep more distance between cars. Winter is an especially important time to be vigilant when driving because road conditions and weather may not be optimal. Dont get caught out if severe weather hits, make the necessary checks on your vehicle now. Winter weather requires special driving precautions. If you do get stuck, straighten the steering and clear the snow from the wheels. Winter weather health and safety tips wisconsin department.
Dec 14, 2016 learn how to navigate snow and ice in your vehicle rtv6 news brings you the best breaking news coverage in indiana. Proper clothing loose layers of clothing, extra gloves, rain gear. By getting your car ready for winter and using some simple tips to drive safely, you can face almost any weather mother nature decides to send your way. It can be used to view road conditions on 549 highway cameras or as reported by our field staff, forecasted driving conditions which display. Following are some winter driving safety tips to help you prepare for the elements before you face them on the road.
In case the worst does happen, do load the car with special gear. It is necessary to adapt your driving style, when driving in poor weather conditions, especially on snowcovered or icy roads. Winter driving tips for truck drivers roadmaster drivers. If you drive an automatic, check the handbook some have a winter mode or recommend selecting 2 in slippery conditions. If a winter storm strands you in your vehicle, immediately get out and start looking for help. Check the weather forecast and road conditions before embarking on a trip. Cold weather slips and falls 9 defenses safety training video fall prevention dont let cold weather put you down. Abrasive material such as sand or kitty litter, in case your vehicle gets stuck in the snow. There is a wealth of information about winter safety available from a variety of sources, including on minimum temperatures for work, adverse weather policies and personal protective equipment for adverse weather and temperature extremes. In addition to cold stress, there are other winter weather related hazards that workers may be exposed to when performing tasks such as driving in the snow, removing snow from rooftops, and working near downed or damaged power lines. Adults 65 and older are involved in more car crashes per mile driven than those in nearly all other age groups. You need to be in control of your speed based on road conditions dont let the.