Safe Driving in Wintry Weather

J.Adderton

I live in a small rural town in Alabama and wintry precipitation is an uncommon event. Overall, drivers in Alabama are particularly novice when it comes to navigating the challenges of driving in ice and snow. I recently returned to hospital nursing and experience anxiety when the weather forecast even hints at winter mischief. Hospitals continue to provide a vital medical service to the community they serve despite severe weather conditions. Therefore, it is important to be prepared and aware of safe driving strategies.

To drive or not to drive; that is often the question. The policy for inclement weather at my facility is personal safety is primary. However, critical staff are also encouraged to report "if at all possible". It is often a stressful decision nurses need to make during inclement winter weather. Hospitals will often call staff in early to decrease the risk of driving in snow and ice and ensure adequate nursing coverage. In addition, hospitals will often designate volunteers with four-wheel drive vehicles to assist in transporting staff to work safely.

During the winter months, it is important to maintain a winter kit for your vehicle. Suggested items include:

Window scraper
Kitty litter or sand in case stuck
Extra clothing (include hat, scarf and mittens)
Blanket
High protein snacks
Water
First aid kit
Flashlight
Small battery operated radio
Emergency contact names and numbers
Extra prescription medications
Cell phone adapter for charging phone
Booster cables
Emergency reflectors
Depending on your geographical area, your winter car kit may contain additional items, such as tow chain or rope and a sleeping bag.

It is important to make sure your gas tank stays at least a half tank full. If you do get stuck in the snow, it is important to stay with your car. If you are not immediately near a place of safety, do not try to walk. Place an emergency reflector or tie a brightly colored cloth to your antennae to signal for help. When your car is running, turn on the overhead light to help others see your vehicle to prevent dangerous fumes from building in your car, use your heater for only 10 minutes every hour. Finally, consider opening one window away from the cold wind to let fresh air in.

It is good to review safe driving tips in preparation for wintry weather. It seems simple, but let someone know where you are going, what route you are taking and your estimated time of arrival. This information will make it easy to locate your car if it gets stuck. Implement safe driving basics such as, wear seatbelt, avoid distractions (cell phones, texting), don't follow too closely and don't use cruise control. Be sure to accelerate slowly to avoid hydroplaning. Also, remember bridges, overpasses and tunnels will ice first and will often be slick with difficult to see black ice.

The decision to drive or not to drive is often challenging. If roads are closed by local or state emergency management services, the decision to drive is often made for you. As a nurse, you have a responsibility to the community you serve to be aware of forecasts and prepared for inclement weather. A final tip is to maintain a positive attitude. When I entered the nursing profession, my desire to provide care and assistance for others outweighed the inconvenience of wintry weather.

For additional information, please visit the following resources:

National Weather Service. Prepare! Don't let a winter storm take you by surprise

Occupational Health and Safety Administration. Safe winter driving (pdf)

American Automobile Association. How to go on ice and snow (pdf)

No Stars In My Eyes · Jan 9, 2018

Good, common sense advice for a hot-button issue.

jasia52 · Jan 10, 2018

Another tip: plan an alternate "snow route" (if feasible) to use. I had a route using main roads that were plowed early and was relatively flat and straight.

amoLucia · Jan 14, 2018

One thing that I always see mentioned is to have "WATER" avail. BUT ...

If ambient air temperatures stay consistently below freezing, won't the water freeze???

I have had some liquids in the car freeze over the years. And some have burst. So long term packing is out of the picture.

Any other suggestions??

Mudpinesredneck · Jan 16, 2018

My current driving setup

Bolt cutters

Jumper cables

Slime tire patch

2 spare quarts, Royal Purple 5W30 oil

Siphon hose

Toolbox with:

Extra fuses

Stripper set for various wiring

butt connectors 22GA/16CAL

Wrenches

Screwdrivers and drill bits

Krazy glue

Duct tape

Inflatable gas can

My laptop bag

School books

Gym bag with 2 days worth of clothing + jackets

Dog blanket, extra dog food

-20 sleeping bag

3 days of food in MRE's

Water, silcock key, water filters

3 gallons of water + half gallon of sweet tea

Some easily microwavable food

Extra smokes and a pint of fireball

Fishing kit

Rope for making traps and snares

Travel hammock, camo color

Extra 550 cord

N95 respirator masks

Flint and steel

9v battery, steel wool

Waterproof matches

16 inch machete that will cut a tree branch like a hot knife through butter

Stove and mess kit

2 Nalgene bottles

First aid kit...no seriously, I can do gunshot wound surgery out the back of my SUV

Caterpillar battery pack + jumpstarter and air compressor

Baofeng UV-82HP Transceiver that also picks up EMS/LE/Fire/pretty much anything 2 meter 440, and FM radio as well

Backup phone, loaded with offline maps, SOAP note, CPR rhythm app, and a list of food sources, backroads I know about, and repair manual for my car

If that ain't prepped for the winter, or the zombie acopalypse I don't know what is...

Everday carry...

Phone

Headphones

Flashlight

Keys with CPR shield, flash drive loaded with operating systems and portable apps, handcuff key (Yes, I trained for E&E)

Smith and Wesson Border Guard II with seatbelt cutter and glass breaker

Wallet. Going to get a ITS Tactical lock pick kit

My beloved Copenhagen wintergreen

Bandanna, tourniquet/mask impromptu

Leatherman Wave multitool

Paracord bracelet with ferricium rod

Watch

Keep another spare knife in my boot as well

Edited Jan 16, 2018 by Mudpinesredneck

No Stars In My Eyes · Jan 16, 2018

My current driving setup
Bolt cutters

Jumper cables

Slime tire patch

2 spare quarts, Royal Purple 5W30 oil

Siphon hose

Toolbox with:

Extra fuses

Stripper set for various wiring

butt connectors 22GA/16CAL

Wrenches

Screwdrivers and drill bits

Krazy glue

Duct tape

Inflatable gas can

My laptop bag

School books

Gym bag with 2 days worth of clothing + jackets

Dog blanket, extra dog food

-20 sleeping bag

3 days of food in MRE's

Water, silcock key, water filters

3 gallons of water + half gallon of sweet tea

Some easily microwavable food

Extra smokes and a pint of fireball

Fishing kit

Rope for making traps and snares

Travel hammock, camo color

Extra 550 cord

N95 respirator masks

Flint and steel

9v battery, steel wool

Waterproof matches

16 inch machete that will cut a tree branch like a hot knife through butter

Stove and mess kit

2 Nalgene bottles

First aid kit...no seriously, I can do gunshot wound surgery out the back of my SUV

Caterpillar battery pack + jumpstarter and air compressor

Baofeng UV-82HP Transceiver that also picks up EMS/LE/Fire/pretty much anything 2 meter 440, and FM radio as well

Backup phone, loaded with offline maps, SOAP note, CPR rhythm app, and a list of food sources, backroads I know about, and repair manual for my car

If that ain't prepped for the winter, or the zombie acopalypse I don't know what is...

Everday carry...

Phone

Headphones

Flashlight

Keys with CPR shield, flash drive loaded with operating systems and portable apps, handcuff key (Yes, I trained for E&E)

Smith and Wesson Border Guard II with seatbelt cutter and glass breaker

Wallet. Going to get a ITS Tactical lock pick kit

My beloved Copenhagen wintergreen

Bandanna, tourniquet/mask impromptu

Leatherman Wave multitool

Paracord bracelet with ferricium rod

Watch

Keep another spare knife in my boot as well

:wideyed: You are WAY, WAY beyond being a Scout and being prepared! You are handier than a side-pocket and better than sliced bread! :yes: (Southern-isms)

I am completely and totally impressed, and by those standards I shouldn't even ever be driving a car under any conditions anywhere at all for any reason! :woot:

**JBudd** · Jan 28, 2018

One thing that I always see mentioned is to have "WATER" avail. BUT ...
If ambient air temperatures stay consistently below freezing, won't the water freeze???

I have had some liquids in the car freeze over the years. And some have burst. So long term packing is out of the picture.

Any other suggestions??

Get a flexible water container, and don't fill it all the way so that the ice has room to expand. Too frozen to drink? put it near your heater, or inside your coat to thaw enough to drink.

Alternative, if you must eat snow to survive, melt it in your mouth before swallowing, so you are not putting the worst of the coldness directly to your core.