Take It Slow On Ice and Snow

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Candice C. Page
  • Headquarters Air Combat Command Public Affairs
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. --  Winter is quickly approaching and the dangers associated with driving on snowy and icy roads are more imminent. Being properly prepared to travel in these conditions can help avoid emergency vehicle mishaps.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, each year 24 percent of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on snowy, slushy or icy pavement and 15 percent happen during snowfall or sleet. Over 1,300 people are killed and more than 116,800 people are injured in these vehicle crashes annually.

"You can't take precautions you aren't aware of," said Staff Sgt. Phillip L. Jones, 633rd Air Base Wing Safety Office safety technician. "One of the primary goals of the safety office is to equip our fellow Airmen with the proper risk assessment skills."

Preparing for a road trip during inclement weather

- Get at least eight hours of sleep before beginning your trip.
- Check the weather for the best time to travel.
- Plan for best route given the weather conditions.
- Know where you are going/get familiar with the route.

Preparing a vehicle prior to driving on snow and ice

- Remove ice and snow from your vehicle.
- Check your tires, wiper blades, fluids, lights, belts and hoses.
- Make sure tires are properly inflated and tread is in good condition. Cold temperatures can lower tire pressure. Check monthly and top off as necessary.

Driving on icy roads

- Be sure and buckle up!
- Keep a light touch on the controls; the key is to keep you vehicle moving as smooth as possible.
- Don't use your cruise control keep manual control of your speed.

"Black ice is a deposit of ice which forms in a way that causes it to be undetectable on a black surface," said Jones. "Because the ice is totally clear, it is often invisible, which makes it very dangerous because drivers don't have much reaction time between driving over it and losing control."

Driving on snowy roads

- Reduce speed by 50 percent in snow; if the road is icy reduce it more than that. While it is important not to drive too fast it's also important not to drive too slow you need momentum to keep your vehicle chugging ahead through snow.
- Keep your windows clear.
- Give the car ahead of you extra space just in case you need to stop unexpectedly.
- Know what type of brakes your vehicle has and how to use them.
- Accelerate and decelerate gradually.
- Watch out for up-rooted trees and wildlife.

Jones suggests paying extra attention to what's going on while operating a vehicle. It only takes a second for conditions to change.

Tips to safely handle your vehicle if it loses control

- Don't Panic.
- Don't slam on the breaks or swerve.
- Gradually let up from the accelerator but do not touch the brakes.
- Steer into the slide (i.e. if you are sliding right steer right.) Steering in the opposite direction of the slide will make it worse.

In the event an emergency happens during travel, Jones recommends having a winter survival kit in your vehicle to assist you until professional help can get there.

Items a vehicle winter survival kit should include

- First Aid Kit
- Blankets
- Flares
- Extra clothing
- An ice scraper
- Jumper cables
- Dried foods
- Emergency tire sealant
- Flashlights (w/extra batteries)
- A shovel
- A small tool kit

"These skills and safety tips are going to help Airmen recognize potential hazards and minimize the potential risk of a vehicle emergency", said Jones.

For more driving safety information contact your local base safety office or visit National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/Seasonal_Advisories/WinterDrivingTips/index.html.