Just like birds flocking south for the winter, many people choose winter as a good time to make their way to warmer climate. The US highways get very busy with students, snowbirds and sports nuts hitting the blacktop to get themselves from one part of the country to another. Consider these safety tips to keep yourself safe during winter travel.
If you will be driving, get your car checked out. The last thing you want to have happen is to have your car break down and to get stranded in the middle of a snowstorm. Make sure all the fluid levels are at manufacturer’s specifications, inspect the tires for proper inflation and tread depth, and have the battery checked. If it’s been awhile since your last tune up, have that done before you hit the road. Also, signing up for roadside assistance is a good idea.
Being comfortable driving in snow is very important if you want to avoid getting in a serious accident. Although the city does its best to get snow and ice off the road so drivers can travel safely, they can only do so much. There is a good chance you’ll be on the road when it starts to snow so you need to be able to get through it. Mostly, you’ll want to know how to deal with skidding. The proper way to handle a skid is to turn the car in the direction you want it to go while avoiding braking. Braking often contributes to the skid.
You always want to stay on top of the weather from both where you are starting and where you are ending. Plan your route and then research weather conditions using online tools. Give an itinerary of your trip to an emergency contact just in case the unthinkable happens and you do not make it to where you were going. This will give emergency services a starting place to look should they need to come searching for you.
A travel kit is a must when on the roads. Your travel pack should have a basic first aid kit, a flashlight with extra batteries, a knife, a compass, a tow rope, jumper cables, kitty litter to help aid traction, ice scraper, water, extra blankets, non-perishable food, matches, portable radio and de-icer. These can be put in an emergency bag in the trunk of the car. Make sure you have a car charger for your cell phone in addition to a regular wall charger.
It is important to carry enough food and water with you just in case you get stranded. Your body needs more nourishment in cold weather than it does in summer, so always travel on a full stomach. Take about 6 bottles of water and a days worth of food or assorted healthy snack items in the car with you as they might freeze if stored in the trunk.
You are working harder to get through the snow so take frequent breaks. Try to stop at least once per hour to hour and half so you can stretch your legs and clear your mind. Even a five minute break is enough to refresh you to continue the journey.
Winter travel can be quite the adventure. Just be prepared and proceed cautiously. The trip will be more enjoyable if you make it to your destination safely.
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