Put some extra clothing and emergency items in your vehicle; these will come in handy if you break down in very cold weather. Assemble a basic kit including a pair of gloves, weather-resistant pants and/or coat, maybe an old pair of boots, a blanket, jumper cables, a flashlight with some extra batteries, a windshield scraper, matches and some flares and you should be in good shape. You might also toss a few nutrition bars in as well; those things won't spoil until the next millennium, are packed with calories and can bail you out in a pinch. Don't forget a few bottles of water.
Make sure your car is checked over for winter weather readiness. In particular, you or a mechanic should check your tires before the first big winter storm.
Once your vehicle is inspected and equipped, follow this advice: "See and be seen. Keep your headlights and taillights clean, especially in stormy weather. Keep windows clean and make sure defrosters work well. If snow has built up on your vehicle overnight or after a break from driving, clear it away so it doesn't blow off and obscure your windows."
Slow down. The U.S. Department of Transportation recommends slowing down by about 50 percent in very bad weather; additionally, leave extra space between you and the car in front of you. You'll want to use your best judgment, but the slow tend to survive this race.
Remember that not all stretches of road are created alike. For example, many recently built small bridges and overpasses have been designed to blend into the surroundings, with a gradual or nonexistent change in elevation. These bridges nonetheless remain susceptible to icing over much more rapidly than regular blacktop. Look out and look ahead for these short stretches of road when temperatures near or drop below freezing.
Some features of modern automobiles may actually serve you poorly in bad conditions. In some SUV's and four-wheel-drive vehicles, for example, you may have better traction when the vehicle is underway, but the four-wheel drive won't help you stop any faster. Also, skip the cruise control; your cruise control feature may accelerate when you least want it to, such as when you are climbing an icy bridge. As the DOT says, "Don't let your car make a bad decision for you."
If you are stranded and have to stay in your car, you can run the engine for heat, but make sure the exhaust pipe is not obstructed by snow or mud. If you prefer not to have the engine running the whole time, close the windows to keep heat in, and run the car for perhaps 10 minutes every hour, opening a front window a crack when you do so.
If you anticipate bad traffic or driving weather and do not have access to the Internet or television, dial 5-1-1 for traffic updates. The menu-based system can be slow and cumbersome to navigate, but the time you spend might save you even more time creeping along an interstate surrounded by big snowflakes and bigger trucks.
If you are parking at your hotel or near attractions in bad weather, opt for a spot in an indoor parking garage when available.
We hope these tips help you, and stay safe.
Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you with all your reservation needs. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com.
Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc
6008 West Bell Rd # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
(602) 843-5100
rawhidetravel.com
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