January, 2000

Safe winter driving is smart winter driving

The winter season is upon us and in full swing. Lakes are frozen, there's snow on the ground and temperatures are well below the freezing point. And just as you have to dress differently for winter, you also have to drive differently in winter.

"It’s important drivers consider how driving conditions change with the new season," advises Shannon Ell, SGI’s Supervisor of Traffic Safety Promotion. "The roads and drivers' habits change in winter, so it's best to exercise caution."

Among the biggest risks of winter driving is the possibility of being stranded in a whiteout. A whiteout occurs when the sky, horizon and ground blend together, making it very difficult to determine your position on the road.

Ell says the safest thing to do in a whiteout is to pull over into the closest town or rest area until the light conditions change. But if this isn't an option for you, you may want to slow down considerably and wear a good pair of sunglasses.

According to Ell, there are also a few basic rules of thumb for winter driving that every driver should keep in mind:

• reduce your speed according to the conditions

• maintain a safe following distance between cars

• don't be a "peephole" driver ­ remove snow and ice from the windshield and all windows, and don't start out until your defroster has cleared all fogged glass

• remove ice and snow from headlights and taillights so other motorists can see them

• wear sunglasses to avoid being blinded by the sun's glare off the snow

And no matter what season it is, every driver and passenger should remember to always wear a seat belt and to never drink and then drive.

A roadside emergency kit is another essential for winter travels, according to Ell. She says your vehicle should contain the following throughout the winter: shovel, blankets, matches, a candle and a tin cup (to melt snow for water), food like chocolate, granola bars, dried fruit, nuts or soup mixes to add to water, snow brush and ice scraper, booster cables, flashlight and flares.

"A roadside emergency kit doesn't take long to put together, and it could someday save your life," said Ell.

For more information, contact:
Shannon Ell
Supervisor, Traffic Safety Promotion
SGI Communications
Regina
(306) 775-6179

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