Being prepared for cold weather:
Keep a cache of winter gear in your car. Consider including:
- An extra coat
- Blankets
- Food & Water
- Medications
- A shovel
- Cat litter or sand
Check tire inflation and tread levels.
Driving in the snow/ice:
Stay home if possible. Even if you consider yourself to be a skilled driver, the more people on the road the more possibilities there are for an accident.
- Avoid using cruise control when driving on ice or snow.
- Build inertia before going uphill instead of powering up the hill.
- Drive slowly & increase your following distance, especially at higher speeds.
- Accelerate and decelerate slowly.
If you get stuck in snow:
- Stay with your vehicle, it will be a temporary shelter and make it easier for you to be found.
- Clear snow from in front of, behind, and next to your tires and tailpipe.
- Place cat litter, sand, salt, or car/carpet mats in front of and behind your tires.
- Utilize your lowest gear and AWD/4WD if available.